2026 world champions: Canadian women’s flag football team beats United States for IFAF gold

Photo courtesy: IFAF.

The Canadian senior women’s flag football team has captured gold at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Canada beat the United States 27-20 on Sunday in the gold medal game. Quarterback Sara Parker passed for 104 yards, Frédérique Morneau scored three touchdowns, while team captain Caroline Moquin-Joubert recorded 10 receptions for 30 yards with one touchdown in the win. It marks the first world title for the Canadian women since 2014 and third since IFAF started holding the event in 2002.

The Red and White, led by head coach Rachel Lessard, entered the tournament as the fourth-ranked team in the world. The Canadians went undefeated in the group stage, securing victories over No. 5 Japan, No. 12 Panama, and No. 15 Brazil.

In the quarterfinals against No. 6 Austria, Canada rolled 40-12 as Marianne Quirion led the way with two touchdowns. The Canadians officially secured a spot in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles with a 20-6 upset win over No. 1-ranked Mexico in the semi-finals.

Flag football is making its Olympic debut in Los Angeles. Countries that did not qualify through the world championships earn their way to qualification by way of a Q-Series event to take place in Montreal, but Canada will not need to face the pressure on home soil.

The Canadian senior men’s team defeated Mexico earlier in the day to capture the bronze medal and secure their own Olympic berth.