With the inclusion of flag football in the Olympic Games, Canada is among the nations vying for the initial positions in the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the ongoing world championships in Germany. Each gender category consists of only six teams, with two spots available for the Olympics. The United States, a dominant force in flag football, secures an automatic entry, while the remaining three spots for both men and women will be determined through a two-phase qualifier in June 2028, starting in Montreal.
Although not a direct qualification event for the Olympics, success at the world championships would be advantageous for teams like Canada to avoid the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the following years.
The tournament in Germany features sixteen teams competing in both the men’s and women’s categories, divided into groups of four for the preliminary rounds. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage, commencing on Saturday. The medal matches, determining the world champions and Olympic qualifiers, are scheduled for Sunday.
In their group stage matches, the Canadian women will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan, while the men’s team will compete against Austria, Japan, and a team that had to withdraw, Nigeria. Canada’s women’s team, ranked fourth globally, has previously won the world championship twice and secured a bronze in 2018. On the other hand, the men’s team, who claimed their sole world title in 2008, are currently ranked 10th globally.
The Olympics’ addition of flag football for 2028 sparked discussions about potential participation from NFL and CFL stars for the U.S. and Canada. However, the distinct nature of flag football compared to tackle football became evident during a recent exhibition tournament in Los Angeles, where flag football players outperformed prominent NFL athletes in a non-contact setting.
Canada’s national teams are well-represented at the world championships, with notable players such as former NFL tight end Antony Auclair and experienced defensive back Sabrina Gervais leading the charge. The competition can be followed live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting Thursday at 2 a.m. ET.