Canada’s women’s flag football team emerged victorious over the United States to claim the world title, while the men’s team secured a spot in 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 their spot with a 20-6 win against top-ranked Mexico in the semifinals, concluded a flawless tournament with a 27-20 triumph over the Americans in the final match.
Frederique Morneau stood out with three touchdown receptions for Canada, while quarterback Sara Parker connected with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, who delivered a total of 23 touchdown passes, was honored as the most valuable player of the women’s competition.
On the men’s side, Canada secured their Olympic berth by defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place match. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the team with 294 yards and five touchdowns, with former NFL tight end Antony Auclair contributing significantly with 149 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. Daniel Petermann and James Drysdale also found the end zone, each scoring twice.
The top two teams from both flag football events, excluding the host United States, earned qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics, where flag football will debut as an Olympic sport. Despite a loss to Italy in the men’s semifinals, Canada’s men seized the opportunity in the third-place game when the American team also progressed to the final.
Head coach Paul LaPolice expressed his pride in the team’s achievement, highlighting the hard work and dedication that led to their Olympic qualification. He emphasized the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams earning their spots together, indicating a promising future for Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the United States emerged victorious over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing the competitive nature of the tournament.
