The draws for the men's and women's soccer tournaments at the upcoming Paris Olympics were announced on Wednesday, revealing challenging matches ahead for both United States teams. While the US women’s soccer team gears up to face formidable opponents in Group B, the men's team is set to embark on their Olympic journey after a hiatus since Beijing 2008.
Women's team faces Germany and Australia in Group B
The US women's soccer team, led by incoming coach Emma Hayes, is set to face off against Germany and Australia as they aim to reclaim Olympic gold. Ranked fifth in the world, Germany presents a formidable opponent, while Australia made it to the Women's World Cup semifinals last year. The team will also compete against either Morocco or Zambia for a spot in the knockout stage.
Hayes will assume the position of US coach in May, following the conclusion of her season with Chelsea. With 14 major trophies already under her belt, among which are six Women’s Super League championships, she harbors a strong desire to secure an Olympic gold medal for her squad during the Paris Olympics. This will enhance her already impressive resume and restore the team's glory. It's been eight years since the US women's team took home an Olympic gold medal in soccer.
Twila Kilgore currently coaches the US team on an interim basis until Hayes' arrival. She was instrumental in securing the win for her team during the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament earlier in 2023.
We know more than ever that there's not an easy game in the women's game, no matter what the ranking is
Bev Priestman
Men's team to compete against France in Group A
The US men's soccer team, back in Olympic competition after an absence of 13 years, will be pitted against France and their star player, Thierry Henry, in Group A, presenting a difficult test. New Zealand completes the lineup in this group, joining as the victor of an Asian-African conference playoff.
The men's defending title holder, Argentina, has been allocated to Group B, where they will face Morocco, Ukraine, and an Asian side that gained entry into the tournament. After coming in second place at the Tokyo Olympics, Spain is now a part of Group C, which also consists of Egypt, the Dominican Republic, and a third Asian nation.
Olympic soccer rules and format
A significant regulation in the men's soccer tournament at the 2024 Olympics sets a limit for players to be below the age of 23. However, each squad is granted the privilege of fielding three teammates who are above this threshold. The much-awaited soccer competitions at the Paris Olympics are set to begin two days prior to the opening ceremony on July 24, 2024.
The climax of the women's soccer tournament will unfold on August 10, making history as this will be the inaugural instance where the final game is played before the closing ceremony.
Soccer matches during the Paris Olympics will unfold across seven different cities across France. These cities include Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Étienne, and Lyon, where soccer fans can witness their teams compete against each other throughout the Olympics.
The US women's soccer team, under the guidance of coach Emma Hayes, aims to restore their Olympic glory. Meanwhile, competing for the first time in over a decade at the Paris Olympics, the US men's soccer team eagerly anticipates the chance to prove themselves on the international stage against formidable opponents like France and other top-tier teams.
The announcement of the draws at the 2024 Olympics has generated a palpable sense of anticipation, with teams eagerly preparing themselves to make their countries proud on the global stage.
