Canada dethroned the USA women's flag football team at the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Sunday. The 27-20 result snapped a 12-year gold medal drought for the Canadians and denied the US a repeat world title.
The US opened quickly, but couldn't hold onto the lead. Caroline Moquin-Joubert hauled in a Sara Parker pass just before halftime to level the score at 14-14.
Parker then hit Frederique Morneau early in the second half, and Canada seized control from there. Team USA had one last chance on fourth down, yards from the goal line with three seconds left. But that final play didn't convert.
Canada, Mexico Women's Flag Football Qualify for 2028 Olympics
Despite the result, the US had already secured its women's flag football Olympics berth as host of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Canada joined them on the qualified list by capturing gold. World No. 1 Mexico rounded out the podium after erasing a 13-point halftime deficit to slip past Great Britain 20-19 in the bronze medal game.
Three international spots remain up for grabs before LA28. Those will be decided at Olympic Q-Series events in Montréal and Orlando in 2028, jus before the Games kick off.
Contenders shut out in Düsseldorf, including Great Britain, will get one more shot at the six-team field through that route.
