The Canadian women’s flag football team is bound for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Canada defeated Mexico 20-6 in an International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship semifinal Saturday. “I am so proud of this team,” said Canadian women’s team head coach Rachel Lessard in a statement. “Qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games is a reflection of the discipline, resilience and trust this team has built over the course of this process, and they’ve earned every bit of this opportunity at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football world championships. “Canadian flag football is on the rise, and we’re honoured to officially be able to help carry that momentum to the 2028 Olympic Games.” The top two countries in each of the men’s and women’s world championships qualified for 2028 when flag football makes its Olympic debut. But if the United States, already qualified as host, reached either final, the top three finishers qualified for L.A. The Canadian women will meet the U.S., which was a 27-21 semifinal winner over Britain, for the world title Sunday. Mexico and Britain will battle for the remaining women’s Olympic berth in the bronze-medal game. Canada’s men fell 41-36 to Italy in Saturday’s semifinal, but still had a chance to punch an early Olympic ticket in Sunday’s bronze-medal match against Mexico. The U.S. was a 42-40 winner over the Mexicans in the other semifinal, and faces Italy for men’s gold Sunday at the world championship. Canada’s women’s team poses during the media day ahead of the Flag Football World Championships, the sports first Olympic qualifier for LA28, in Duesseldorf, Germany, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) Countries can also qualify for Los Angeles via next year’s continental championships and a qualifying series the following year. The Canadian men defeated American Samoa 24-14 and the women were 40-12 victors over Austria in Saturday’s quarterfinals. Canada’s women edged the U.S. 34-33 at the USA Football Summer Series on June 19. “This is an incredible moment for our women’s flag football team and everyone who has supported them along the way,” said Eva Havaris, Football Canada’s chief executive officer. ”This group worked incredibly hard for this moment, delivered an outstanding performance and it goes without saying that they’ve earned it. “We’re thrilled to see them officially secure their place on the Olympic stage, and we can’t wait to see what they do in Los Angeles.” Sara Parker passed for 107 yards in Saturday’s semifinal. Silvia Contreras led Canada’s receivers with 38 yards on six catches, and also scored a touchdown. Caroline Moquin-Joubert scored a pair of touchdowns and Alexane Fournier also reached the end zone. James Drysdale compiled 76 yards on six catches and also scored a touchdown for Canada’s men in the semifinal loss. Jackson Tachinski and Antony Auclair also scored. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2026.
