Paris 2024 Olympic Football: Everything You Need To Know
Paris 2024 Olympic Football is just around the corner! In Olympia, Greece, the torch-lighting ceremony marked the official beginning of the countdown to this major event in sport. This summer, after being postponed for three years from Tokyo 2020 Olympics, athletes will gather in France. The opening ceremony will take place on July 26th, while its closure is on August 11th.
Olympic Football: A Favorite among Supporters
Only two exceptions have occurred throughout history when it comes to football being one of the most sought-after sports at the Olympics (Athens 1896 and Los Angeles 1932). Brazil is expected to be a strong medal contender again, as they have won gold twice consecutively and Canada holds their last title in women’s category.
Your Guide to Olympic Football: Dates, Stadiums, Teams & More!
Dates and Stadiums:
The Olympic Football tournaments begin on July 24th and conclude with finals on August 10th. Seven magnificent stadiums across various French cities will host the matches:
- Parc des Princes in Paris (Final venue)
- Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne
- Stade de la Beaujoire in Nice
- Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux
- Stade de Lyon in Lyon
- Marseille Velodrome
Qualified Teams, Tournament Format & Groups:
Several teams have already secured their spot in Paris, including France, Spain, and New Zealand. The groups have also been drawn, creating exciting matchups. Here’s a breakdown:
- Men’s Qualified Teams (10 out of 16): France, United States, Dominican Republic, Israel, Spain, Ukraine, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, New Zealand
- Remaining Qualifiers: Three teams from Asia Cup U23 competition through Asian Football Confederation (AFC). One team from a play-off between AFC and CAF. Two teams from top ranks of South American pre-Olympic tournament.
This format resembles that of a standard club soccer tournament; four groups of four teams each. The best two teams from each group move forward into knockout stages, which include quarterfinals, semifinals, third-place playoff and grand finale.
Here’s a glimpse at the already drawn groups:
- Group A: France, United States, AFC-CAF Play-off Winner, New Zealand
- Group B: Argentina, Morocco, AFC Team 3, Ukraine
- Group C: AFC Team 2, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic
- Group D: AFC Team 1, Paraguay, Mali, Israel
Potential Stars and Surprises:
Fans are eagerly waiting for rosters announcements for Paris’ Olympic Games (Paris 2024). All squads will comprise of eighteen players; minimum fifteen should be born after January 1st, 2001. Nevertheless there’s an exception coaches can integrate upto three older players each. This has sparked speculation and dreams of seeing legendary players like Lionel Messi or France’s idol Kylian Mbappé grace the Olympic stage.
Another player generating buzz for the French attack is Karim Benzema. Currently playing for Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, Benzema has a less demanding schedule compared to European-based players.
Stay Tuned for More Olympic Football Updates!
An unforgettable sight awaits us at Paris’ final: a true spectacle. With exceptional talents, thrilling contests and iconic venues this is an event every lover of football cannot afford to miss out on. Keep watching out for teams’ choice and players’ involvement!
