Canada is aiming to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by excelling in flag football at the world championships in Germany this week. The event will determine two spots each for the men’s and women’s Olympics tournaments, which will feature only six teams. While the host United States has an automatic entry, the remaining spots will be decided through a two-stage qualifier in June 2028, beginning in Montreal.
Although qualification for the Olympics is not solely dependent on the world championships, teams are eager to secure a spot early and avoid the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the following years.
The tournament in Germany includes 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s categories, divided into groups for the preliminary rounds. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, leading to the medal games on Sunday, where the world champions and Olympic qualifiers will be determined.
Canada’s women’s team, ranked fourth globally, will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage. The men’s team will compete against Austria, Japan, and a team that withdrew, giving Canada a default win.
The Canadian women, led by veteran Sabrina Gervais and quarterback Sarah Parker, are former world champions and hope to secure a spot in the Olympics. The men’s team, featuring former NFL player Antony Auclair and CFL star Marc-Antoine Dequoy, is determined to make a mark in the tournament.
The flag football world championships can be watched live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting on Thursday at 2 a.m. ET.
The addition of flag football to the Olympics in 2028 sparked speculation about potential NFL and CFL stars participating, but the unique skills required for flag football were showcased in a recent exhibition tournament where flag football players outperformed their tackle football counterparts.
