Canada is aiming to secure spots at the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the debut of flag football at the Olympics. The world championships in Germany this week will determine two berths each for the men’s and women’s tournaments at the Olympics, with only six teams in each. The United States, a dominant force in flag football, is already guaranteed a spot, leaving three remaining positions for each gender to be decided in a qualifying event in Montreal in June 2028.

Although not a direct ticket to the Olympics, winning at the world championships would alleviate the pressure of having to compete in the last-chance qualifier over the next two years.

Sixteen teams, split into groups of four, are participating in the men’s and women’s tournaments in Germany. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage starting on Saturday, leading up to the medal games on Sunday, where the champions will be crowned and Olympic spots allocated.

The Canadian women’s team will play Panama, Brazil, and Japan in the group stage, while the men’s team will face Austria and Japan, with a default win against Nigeria due to visa issues. The women are currently ranked fourth globally, with past victories in 2010 and 2014, while the men won their only world title in 2008.

The Olympics’ inclusion of flag football in 2028 sparked excitement about potential NFL and CFL players joining the teams. However, a recent exhibition tournament in Los Angeles highlighted the distinct differences between flag and tackle football. Notable NFL stars struggled against flag football specialists, showcasing the unique skills needed for the non-contact sport.

Canada’s national teams feature experienced players like former NFL tight end Antony Auclair and CFL champion Marc-Antoine Dequoy on the men’s team, and defensive back Sabrina Gervais and quarterback Sarah Parker on the women’s team. Fans can catch the action live on CBC Gem and the CBC Sports website, starting at 2 a.m. ET on Thursday.