Sabrina Gervais, a mother, healthcare professional, and experienced flag football player, is aiming to add “Olympian” to her list of achievements. Leading Canada’s national women’s team in the 2026 world championship, Gervais hopes for a shot at the 2028 Los Angeles Games where flag football will debut in the Olympics.

The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship kicks off in Düsseldorf, Germany, with Canada set to compete against Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the initial matches. The top-two teams from the championship will secure Olympic berths, while a potential gold-medal game involving the United States could see the top-three teams advancing due to the U.S. already being guaranteed a spot as the host nation.

Canada, a strong contender for gold in Germany, qualified for the world championship by finishing as runners-up in last year’s IFAF Americas Continental championship. Despite a weather-shortened final against Mexico in Panama, Canada is prepared to face Mexico again in Germany with hopes for a full game this time.

Gervais, a 36-year-old from Maskinonge, Quebec, emphasizes the team’s readiness and learning from past experiences to give their best performance. Canada’s success isn’t unknown, especially after securing a bronze medal at the 2025 World Games in China, marking their first international women’s flag football achievement.

Gervais, who has been playing flag football for 24 years and juggles football with motherhood and a full-time healthcare career, stresses the importance of resilience, support, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She also focuses on mentoring younger players and acknowledges the crucial role of head coach Rachel Lessard in Canada’s achievements.

For Gervais, the key to success lies in the team’s chemistry and unity on both offense and defense. While she remains focused on the present and enjoys playing, she sees her role as not only making an impact on the field but also inspiring the next generation of players.