Canada’s women’s flag football team secured the world championship title by defeating the United States at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championships in Düsseldorf, Germany. The women’s team, after a 20-6 semifinal victory over Mexico, concluded a flawless tournament with a 27-20 win against the Americans in the final match.
Frederique Morneau stood out with three touchdown catches for Canada, while Quarterback Sara Parker connected with Caroline Moquin-Joubert for another score. Parker, with a total of 23 touchdown passes, was honored as the most valuable player of the women’s competition.
On the men’s side, the Canadian team secured a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by defeating Mexico 34-26 in the third-place game. Quarterback Michael O’Connor led the team with 294 yards and five touchdowns, with former NFL tight-end Antony Auclair contributing 149 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Daniel Petermann and James Drysdale also scored touchdowns for the Canadian men.
Both the Canadian men’s and women’s teams qualified for the LA28 Olympics, with the top two teams from the flag football events earning spots. The men’s third-place game against Mexico became crucial for Olympic qualification after the American men advanced to the final.
Canada’s head coach, Paul LaPolice, expressed pride in his team’s performance, emphasizing the hard work and dedication that led to Olympic qualification. He highlighted the significance of both the men’s and women’s teams earning spots together, indicating a bright future for Canadian flag football.
In the men’s final, the U.S emerged victorious over Italy with a score of 42-26, showcasing the competitive spirit of the tournament.