With flag football poised to debut in the Olympics, Canada is vying for early spots in the 2028 Los Angeles Games at the ongoing world championships in Germany. The tournament will determine two berths for both men’s and women’s teams, with each tournament fielding six teams. The U.S., a flag football powerhouse, secures an automatic entry, while the remaining spots will be decided in a two-stage qualifier in Montreal in June 2028.
Although not decisive for Olympic qualification, the world championships offer a valuable opportunity for teams to secure a spot early and avoid the pressure of the last-chance qualifier in the subsequent years.
In Germany, sixteen teams are participating in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, divided into groups of four for the preliminary rounds. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage, commencing on Saturday, with medal matches scheduled for Sunday to determine both the world champions and Olympic qualifiers.
The Canadian women begin their group stage matches against Panama, followed by Brazil and Japan, while the men’s team faces Austria, Japan, and a forfeit win after Nigeria withdrew due to visa issues.
The Canadian women’s team, ranked fourth globally, has a strong history at the world championships but aims to secure a better finish this year. The men’s team, ranked 10th, is optimistic about their performance despite facing tough competition in their group.
The addition of flag football to the 2028 Olympics sparked speculation about potential NFL and CFL stars joining the national teams, but a recent exhibition tournament highlighted the distinct differences between flag and tackle football. Canada’s national teams, featuring former NFL and CFL players, are well-prepared for the competition.
For fans eager to watch the action, the flag football world championships are available for live viewing on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website starting from Thursday.