Paris 2024 Olympic Football Preview: Key Rules, Teams, and Favourites

The Olympic Games will officially open on 26 July, but two days earlier, the football tournament will begin in Paris, as well as throughout France. The men's and women's tournaments will last for the duration of the Games, with the finals on the 9th and 10th of August.

What are the rules for participating in the Olympic Games?

National associations within FIFA participate in qualifying tournaments to secure a place at the Olympic Games.

In the Olympics, men's teams are restricted to players under 23 years of age (players born after January 1st 2001). However, each team is allowed to include up to three players over the age of 23.

There are no age restrictions for the women's tournament

A squad can bring 18 players.

Groups and format of the Olympic football tournament

Sixteen teams have qualified for the Games in France, divided into four groups of four teams each.

Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand

Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine

Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic

Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel

Each team in a group plays against the others, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stage.

Who are the champions of the Olympic football tournament?

In the women's competition, Canada will be defending their title, having beaten Sweden in the Tokyo 2020 final.

In the men's competition, Brazil won the final against Spain in Japan.

However, Brazil has not qualified for Paris, so a new team will claim the Olympic gold.

Who are the favourites to win the Olympic football tournament?

France, Argentina, and Spain are widely seen as favourites to win the tournament.

France is led by captain Alexandre Lacazette, a former Arsenal player. The squad also includes Bayern Munich's new star Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace, and many players from the French Ligue 1.

The host nation will certainly have extra motivation in front of their home crowd.

Argentina has arrived in France with four FIFA World Cup 2022 winners. Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, Thiago Almada, and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli will attempt to make history as the first footballers to win the FIFA World Cup and then Olympic gold, in that order.

tether.bet favourites for the Olympic football men's 2024 tournament:

- France (3.05)

- Spain (3.50)

- Argentina (4.20)

- Morocco (15.00)

- Japan (15.00)

*odds valid as of 24 July. Odds are subject to change.

The new European champion Spain has sent Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, among others, in search of the gold that eluded them in Tokyo.

Argentina will face another strong team in their opener, Morocco, led by PSG superstar Achraf Hakimi.

Where are the Football Games at Paris 2024 being held?

Men's football games will take place in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Nantes.

The gold medal match will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 9 August.

Football schedule at Paris 2024 - Men's tournament

Men's football during Paris 2024 will take place from 24 July to 9 August .

The tournament openers on 24 July will feature the newly crowned champions of Europe and South America, Spain and Argentina respectively.

Spain will take on Uzbekistan in Paris, while Argentina will face Morocco in Saint-Étienne.

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