Canada’s women’s flag football team emerged victorious against the United States to claim the world championship title, 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 secured a spot in the final with a 20-6 semifinal win over top-ranked Mexico, finished the tournament flawlessly with a 27-20 triumph over the Americans in the final match.
Frederique Morneau made three touchdown catches for Canada, with quarterback Sara Parker connecting with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for Canada’s other score. Parker, who tallied 23 total touchdown passes, was named the most valuable player of the women’s tournament.
In the men’s division, Canada defeated Mexico 34-26 in the third-place game, securing their place at the 2028 Olympics. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the team with 294 yards and five touchdowns, while former NFL tight-end Antony Auclair contributed 149 receiving yards and caught two of O’Connor’s touchdown passes. Daniel Petermann scored two touchdowns, and James Drysdale added the final score for Canada.
Both Canadian teams will advance to the 2028 Olympics, joining the top two teams from each flag football event, excluding the host Americans. Despite losing to Italy in the men’s semifinals, Canada’s third-place finish became crucial for Olympic qualification when the American men advanced to the final.
Canada’s head coach, Paul LaPolice, expressed pride in the teams’ achievements, emphasizing the hard work and dedication that led to Olympic qualification. He highlighted the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams qualifying together as a testament to the promising future of Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the United States emerged victorious over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing a high level of competition at the world championships.