With flag football making its Olympic debut, Canada is vying for a chance to secure spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the ongoing world championships in Germany. The tournament will determine two berths each for the men’s and women’s Olympics competitions, with the host U.S. already securing an automatic entry. The remaining spots for both genders will be decided through a two-stage qualifier in June 2028, starting in Montreal.
Although not a direct ticket to the Olympics, success at the world championships would offer a significant advantage by avoiding the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the following years.
The competition format involves 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, grouped into four for the preliminary round. The top two teams from each group will move on to the knockout stage. The medal matches, which determine the world champions and the Olympic qualifiers, are set for Sunday.
Canada’s women’s team will face Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage matches, while the men’s team will compete against Austria, Japan, and a default win against Nigeria due to visa issues. The women’s team, ranked fourth globally, has a successful history at the world championships, while the men’s team, ranked 10th, aims to improve their performance.
Notably, the addition of flag football to the 2028 Olympics raised speculations about NFL and CFL stars participating. However, a recent exhibition tournament showcased the distinct nature of flag football compared to tackle football, highlighting the strategic and physical differences between the sports.
The Canadian teams, comprising notable players like Antony Auclair and Sabrina Gervais, are showcasing their talent at the world championships. Fans can catch the action live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting at 2 a.m. ET on Thursday.