Flag football world championships: USA and Canada retain titles while Olympic qualification drama unfolds
Great Britain’s women’s team narrowly misses out on a 2028 Los Angeles Olympics berth as Mexico secures the final spot, while the USA and Canada dominate the world titles.
The United States and Canada have successfully defended their positions at the summit of international flag football, claiming the men’s and women’s world titles respectively at the world championships on Sunday. The results also determined the final qualification spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with Mexico’s women’s team and Canada’s men’s team securing their places in the upcoming Games.
In the men’s final, the United States defeated Italy 46-26 to secure a sixth consecutive world title. US men’s quarterback Nico Casares, who threw two touchdown passes, emphasised the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence. “Gold is the only standard,” Casares said. “That’s our motto. That’s what we play by, that’s what we live by.”
The women’s final saw a shift in dominance as Canada defeated the United States 27-20 to claim their third world title, their first since 2014. The US women’s side, seeking a fourth straight title, saw the match tied 14-14 at half-time after Canada’s Caroline Moquin-Joubert caught a pass from quarterback Sara Parker. Canada took control early in the second half, and despite a late fourth-down attempt by the US with three seconds remaining, they could not equalise.
Olympic qualification for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles was determined by the top two teams in each category outside of the host nations, who qualified automatically. With the USA and Canada already assured spots as hosts, the runners-up in the men’s competition—Italy—automatically qualified. In the women’s event, the Canadian women also qualified by reaching the final.
The final Olympic berth in the women’s competition was decided in the bronze-medal match, where Mexico defeated Great Britain 20-19. Great Britain had rallied from a 20-6 deficit but ultimately fell short. Mexico’s women celebrated their victory and Olympic qualification, while Canada’s men secured their Olympic spot by defeating Mexico 34-26 in overtime.
Flag football, a five-on-five sport played in two 20-minute halves with no tackling, was granted Olympic status in 2023. The NFL has indicated plans to launch professional men’s and women’s flag football leagues ahead of the 2028 Olympics.
