Canada’s women’s flag football team emerged victorious over the United States to claim the world championship, while the men’s team secured a 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, having already secured a spot with a 20-6 win over Mexico in the semifinals, concluded a flawless tournament by defeating the Americans 27-20 in the final match.
Frederique Morneau made three touchdown catches for Canada, with quarterback Sara Parker connecting with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, who tallied 23 touchdown passes, earned the title of the most valuable player in the women’s tournament. The Canadian men also qualified for the 2028 Games after triumphing over Mexico 34-26 in the third-place game.
Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the Canadian men’s team with 294 yards and five touchdowns. Antony Auclair, a former NFL tight end, contributed with 149 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions from O’Connor. Daniel Petermann also scored twice, while James Drysdale added another touchdown.
Both top teams from the flag events, excluding the host Americans, secured spots in the Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut as an Olympic sport. Canada’s journey to the Olympics intensified after a loss to Italy in the men’s semifinals, making the third-place game pivotal as the American men also advanced to the final.
Canada’s head coach, Paul LaPolice, expressed pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We came to the world championships to win, and this group achieved it.” LaPolice emphasized the dedication and hard work that led to the Olympic qualification, commending the athletes for their competitive spirit. He highlighted the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying simultaneously, showcasing the promising future of Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the U.S secured victory against Italy with a score of 42-26, highlighting the intense competition throughout the championships.