Canada’s male and female flag football teams have progressed to the quarterfinals of the World Championships held in Germany. The Canadian men faced a 37-28 defeat against Japan, finishing second in their group with a 2-1 record. Originally set to play Nigeria, Canada received a walkover victory as Nigeria withdrew from the tournament due to visa complications. Japan’s quarterback, Take Taniguchi, threw five touchdown passes, while Canada’s Michael O’Connor, a former CFL quarterback, threw three TD passes. The men’s team is scheduled to play against American Samoa in the quarterfinals following American Samoa’s unexpected victory over the U.S. team.

On the other hand, the Canadian women’s team secured the top position in their group with a flawless 3-0 record after defeating Japan 34-20. They are set to face Austria in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal match against the winner of Mexico and Spain. Quarterback Sara Parker showcased an impressive performance with four touchdown passes, two of which were caught by Caroline Moquin-Joubert. Additionally, Alexane Fournier, Marianne Quirion, and Frederique Morneau contributed to Canada’s victory with TD passes and a rushing touchdown, leading to a remarkable comeback from a halftime deficit.

Apart from the quest for the world title, the teams are also vying for a chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The top two teams from the World Championships will secure spots in the Olympics, marking the sport’s debut in the Olympic program. All matches from the event are available for live streaming on CBCSports.ca and CBC Gem platforms.