Canada is one of the nations aiming to secure spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at the ongoing world championships in Germany, where flag football is set to debut in the Olympic Games. The competition will determine two berths for both the men’s and women’s tournaments, consisting of six teams each. While the United States, a dominant force in flag football, automatically qualifies as the host nation, the remaining spots will be decided in a two-part qualifier in Montreal in June 2028.
Although not mandatory for Olympic qualification, winning a spot at the world championships would eliminate the need to compete in the last-chance qualifier in the following years. Sixteen teams for both the men’s and women’s tournaments have been split into groups for the preliminary rounds, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage starting on Saturday. The medal matches on Sunday will determine the world champions and the teams earning Olympic berths.
In the women’s category, Canada, currently ranked fourth globally, will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage. The Canadian men, ranked 10th, will play against Austria, Japan, and received a default win from Nigeria due to visa issues. Notably, the U.S. men’s team, seeking its sixth consecutive world title, holds the top global ranking.
The introduction of flag football in the 2028 Olympics sparked speculation about NFL and CFL players participating for the U.S. and Canada. However, a recent exhibition tournament showcased the distinct differences between flag and tackle football, with flag football players demonstrating their agility and strategic advantage over bulkier NFL stars. Canada’s national teams feature former NFL and CFL players, including Antony Auclair and Marc-Antoine Dequoy on the men’s team, and standout players like Sabrina Gervais and Sarah Parker on the women’s team.
Viewers can catch the flag football world championships live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting at 2 a.m. ET on Thursday.