Canadian men’s flag football team qualifies for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with IFAF bronze medal game win

Photo courtesy: Football Canada.

The Canadian senior men’s flag football team has qualified for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles with a 34-26 bronze medal game win in overtime over No. 3-ranked Mexico at the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships.

Former National Football League tight end Antony Auclair, who scored the game-winning touchdown and two-point convert, recorded 12 receptions for 59 yards with two scores in the victory to lead the way for Canada. Former Canadian Football League pass catcher Daniel Petermann hauled in two touchdowns, and James Drysdale added one score while posting seven grabs for 40 yards. Quarterback Michael O’Connor passed for 134 yards. Former NFL and CFL defensive back Marc Antoine-Dequoy produced a game-high six flag pulls plus one interception, while Francois Rocheleau registered three sacks. Guillaume Beland also notched three flag pulls and one interception.

The Red and White, led by former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, entered the tournament as the 10th-ranked team in the world. The Canadians managed to upset No. 2 Austria in the group stage, but lost to No. 7 Japan. A forfeit by Nigeria, who were unable to travel to the tournament due to Visa issues, ensured that Canada reached the knockout round, where the national team delivered a 24-12 victory over former Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and No. 33 American Samoa. Then Canada lost 41-36 to Italy in the semi-finals.

The top two finishers in the World Championship, other than the United States, automatically qualify for LA 2028. Because the U.S. advanced to the gold medal game, the bronze medal winner earned an Olympic bid.

Flag football is making its Olympic debut in Los Angeles. Both the NFL and CFL have already approved participation for their athletes in that tournament, though nations are forced to qualify without professional players.

Teams who do not qualify at the World Championships need to earn their spot through a Q-Series event to take place in Montreal. 10 teams will reach that event based on their results at the IFAF Continental Championships in 2027, with two qualification spots up for grabs. The final qualification spot will be determined at a separate Olympic Q-Series event in Orlando, Florida.

The Canadian women have already punched their ticket to the Olympics with a 20-6 victory over Mexico on Saturday and face the United States in the gold medal game on Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT.