Canada is one of the nations vying for the first available spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Games as flag football prepares to debut in the Olympics. This pursuit is taking place at the ongoing world championships in Germany, where two spots are at stake for both the men’s and women’s Olympic tournaments, each consisting of six teams. While the United States, a dominant force in flag football, secures an automatic entry as the host, the remaining spots will be determined through a two-stage qualifier in Montreal in June 2028.
Although not essential for securing an Olympic berth, the world championships provide an opportunity to secure a spot and avoid the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the following years.
At the current event in Germany, sixteen teams are participating in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, divided into groups of four for the preliminary matches. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage starting Saturday, with the medal matches set for Sunday to determine the world champions and the Olympic qualifiers.
The Canadian women’s team will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage, while the men’s team will compete against Austria and Japan after Nigeria withdrew due to visa issues.
Canada’s women’s team, ranked fourth globally, aims to reclaim past glory after winning the world championship in 2010 and 2014. The men’s team, on the other hand, seeks to improve their performance after winning their sole world title in 2008. The U.S. team, ranked first in the world, is a strong contender for their sixth consecutive world title.
The Olympics’ inclusion of flag football in 2028 sparked speculation about NFL and CFL stars participating. However, a recent exhibition tournament highlighted the differences between flag and tackle football, showcasing the unique skills required for the non-contact game. Canada’s national teams include experienced players such as former NFL tight end Antony Auclair and quarterback Sarah Parker, who led the women’s team to victory against the U.S.
Fans can catch the flag football world championships live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, with the action starting at 2 a.m. ET on Thursday.
