With flag football poised to debut in the Olympics, Canada is vying for early qualification at the world championships in Germany for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The tournament will feature two spots for both men’s and women’s teams, with six teams in each. The United States, a dominant force in flag football, already secured an automatic entry. The remaining three spots per gender will be determined through a two-stage qualifier in Montreal in June 2028.
Although not a make-or-break opportunity for Olympic qualification, securing a spot at this stage would alleviate the pressure of competing in the last-chance qualifier over the next two years.
The world championships in Germany consist of 16 teams in each men’s and women’s tournament, divided into groups for the preliminary rounds. The top two from each group will advance to the knockout stage, commencing on Saturday. The medal matches, determining the world champions and Olympic qualifiers, will take place on Sunday.
Canada’s women will start their group stage matches against Panama, followed by Brazil and Japan. The Canadian men will face Austria and Japan in their opening matches, with a forfeit win due to Nigeria’s withdrawal.
The Canadian women’s team holds the fourth rank globally, trailing Mexico, the United States, and Great Britain. The men’s team, ranked 10th, won their sole world title in 2008. Notable players in the Canadian squads include former NFL tight end Antony Auclair and veteran defensive back Sabrina Gervais.
Flag football’s distinction from tackle football was evident in a recent exhibition tournament where NFL stars struggled against flag football specialists. The championships can be watched live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website.
This article was originally published on CBC.ca.
