Canada’s men and women have progressed to the quarterfinals of the flag football world championships held in Germany. The men were defeated 37-28 by Japan, finishing second in their group with a 2-1 record. Originally set to play Nigeria, the Canadian team received a walkover due to visa-related issues faced by the Nigerian squad.
Japan’s quarterback Take Taniguchi showcased an impressive performance with five touchdown passes, while Canada’s former CFL quarterback Michael O’Connor also contributed with three TD passes. The Canadian men are now gearing up to face American Samoa in the quarterfinals after American Samoa’s surprising victory over the top-ranked U.S. team.
On the other hand, the Canadian women topped their group with a flawless 3-0 record following a 34-20 victory against Japan. They are set to clash with Austria in the quarterfinals, aiming to secure a spot in the semifinals against the winner between Mexico and Spain.
During the match against Japan, quarterback Sara Parker delivered an outstanding performance with four touchdown passes, including two to Caroline Moquin-Joubert. Alexane Fournier and Marianne Quirion also caught TD passes, while Frederique Morneau scored a rushing touchdown, helping Canada overcome a halftime deficit and secure a 21-point lead in the second half.
Aside from vying for the world title, teams are also eyeing a chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top two finishers at the event will earn coveted Olympic spots as flag football makes its debut on the Olympic program. Fans can catch all the action from the championships through live streaming on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem.