IFA7 SUPER CUP™ Peru 2026
Canada officially enters a new chapter in international Football 7 with the development of its Women’s National Team and preparations underway for international competition in Lima, Peru.
The International Football Association (IFA7) is pleased to announce the development of the Canada Women’s National Football 7 Team, marking an important step in the continued expansion of the women’s game within the international IFA7 structure.
Following identification activities in Canada and an ongoing national player-selection process, the Canadian program is now assembling its first player pool in preparation for the IFA7 SUPER CUP™ Peru 2026, scheduled to take place in Lima from November 4–8, 2026.
The Canadian delegation is expected to travel to Peru from November 1–9, allowing additional time for training, preparation and potential international friendly matches ahead of the competition.
Esther Bylsma to Lead Team Canada
The new national program will be led by Head Coach Esther Bylsma, who has been entrusted with building Canada’s first competitive women’s Football 7 squad under the current national structure.
She will be supported by Assistant Coach Dr. Akram Abubaha, as Canada establishes the technical and organizational foundation for what is intended to become a long-term women’s national-team program.
Player identification has already taken place in Calgary and Ottawa, with additional players being evaluated from across the country.
The objective extends beyond assembling a team for a single tournament. Canada is building a national player pool capable of representing the country in future IFA7 international competitions.
A New International Opportunity for Canadian Players
The growth of Football 7 provides Canadian female players with another pathway to represent their country internationally and compete against national teams from different regions of the world.
IFA7 has continued to expand its international competition structure, and the development of women’s national teams represents an important part of the organization’s next stage of global growth.
For Canada, the project creates opportunities for players from different provinces, leagues, universities, academies and football backgrounds to enter the national identification process.
The inaugural Canadian player pool already brings together athletes from different parts of the country, with preparations expected to intensify over the coming months.
Destination: Lima, Peru
The first major international objective will be the IFA7 SUPER CUP™ Peru 2026.
Taking place in Lima from November 4–8, the competition will provide Canada’s newly formed women’s team with its first opportunity to represent the country on the international Football 7 stage.
For the players selected to travel, Peru will represent much more than another tournament.
It will be an opportunity to become part of the first generation of athletes building Canada’s Women’s Football 7 National Team and to establish the foundation for those who follow.
Preparations will include national-team training activities and potential international preparation matches before competition begins.
Building the Women’s Game Globally
The launch of Team Canada Women also reflects a broader commitment from IFA7 to expand opportunities for women within Football 7 internationally.
As new national associations, competitions and development programs continue to emerge, IFA7 is working toward increasing women’s participation across its member countries and creating a stronger calendar of international women’s competitions.
Canada’s arrival represents another important step in that process.
The journey to Lima has begun.
Canada is ready to enter the international Women’s Football 7 stage.
