Canada is aiming to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Games as flag football makes its Olympic debut. The world championships in Germany this week will determine the first available spots for the Olympics, with two berths for both men’s and women’s tournaments. The United States, a powerhouse in flag football, has an automatic entry, leaving three spots for each gender to be decided in a qualifier opening in Montreal in June 2028.
While the world championships are not the only opportunity to qualify for the Olympics, teams would prefer to secure a spot early and avoid the pressure of the last-chance qualifier. Sixteen teams each in the men’s and women’s tournaments are competing in Germany, divided into groups for the preliminary round. The top two teams in each group will advance to the knockout stage, leading to the medal games on Sunday where the world champions and Olympic qualifiers will be determined.
The Canadian women’s team, ranked fourth globally, will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage matches. The men’s team, ranked 10th, will play against Austria, Japan, and have secured a win as Nigeria withdrew due to visa issues. Canada has a successful history in flag football, with the women winning world titles in 2010 and 2014, while the men claimed their lone title in 2008.
The Olympics’ inclusion of flag football in 2028 sparked speculation about the participation of NFL and CFL stars for the U.S. and Canada. However, the difference between flag and tackle football was evident in a recent exhibition tournament where flag football players outperformed NFL superstars. Canada’s national teams at the world championships include former NFL and CFL players, highlighting the strategic and physical nuances of flag football.
The flag football world championships can be live-streamed on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, providing fans with exciting matches and insights into the future of this evolving sport.