Canada’s women’s flag football team emerged victorious over the United States to secure the world title, while the men’s team secured their spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The women’s team, already having secured a spot with a 20-6 win over Mexico in the semifinals, concluded a flawless tournament with a 27-20 triumph over the American team in the final match.
Frederique Morneau made significant contributions with three touchdown catches for Canada, while quarterback Sara Parker connected with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, with a total of 23 touchdown passes, was honored as the most valuable player of the women’s tournament.
In parallel, the Canadian men’s team earned their place at the 2028 Olympics by defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place match on Sunday. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the team with 294 yards and five touchdowns, with former NFL tight-end Antony Auclair making impactful plays, garnering 149 receiving yards and catching two of O’Connor’s touchdown passes. Daniel Petermann and James Drysdale also contributed to the victory with two and one touchdown respectively.
The top two teams from both flag football events, excluding the host Americans, secured their qualification for the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut as an Olympic sport. Despite a loss to Italy in the men’s semifinals, the Canadian team seized the opportunity to compete for an Olympic spot in the third-place match, as the American men advanced to the final.
Head coach Paul LaPolice expressed his pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing the hard work and dedication that led to their success. He highlighted the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying together, indicating a promising future for Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the U.S. team emerged victorious over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing a high level of competition throughout the tournament.
