The Canadian Football League (CFL) has granted permission for its players to participate in flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This decision was unanimously approved by the league’s board of governors. Flag football is set to make its debut at the upcoming Olympics.
The CFL is now collaborating with the CFL Players’ Association, the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), and Olympic governing bodies to establish regulations for the involvement of its players. While the majority of CFL rosters consist of Canadians and Americans, the league also includes 37 international players from 16 different countries.
In a similar move, the NFL had previously announced its allowance for players to take part in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston expressed pride in the opportunity for players to represent their countries in top-tier competition, emphasizing the honor and exposure it brings to the league.
The Canadian men’s and women’s flag football teams have advanced to the 2026 world championships, a crucial step in Olympic qualification. This event is scheduled to take place in Germany next year. Solomon Elimimian, president of the CFL Players’ Association, highlighted the significance of showcasing CFL talent on a global scale and inspiring future generations of players through international competition.
At a recent IFAF Continental flag football championship in Panama, the Canadian women’s team secured a second-place finish while the men’s team claimed the third spot. The men’s team, under the guidance of former CFL head coach Paul LaPolice, boasts players like Antony Auclair, a former NFL tight end and Super Bowl champion.
Kevin McDonald, Executive Director of Football Canada, praised the high-performance pathways in Canada that have cultivated a competitive roster. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with the CFL to enable CFL players to vie for a chance to represent Canada on the Olympic stage, marking an exciting chapter for the sport’s development and Olympic aspirations.