The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team will compete in the 2024 Olympic Soccer Tournament in Paris, marking the team's first competitive match under head coach Emma Hayes, who takes over after the team's worst World Cup finish in history last year, a loss to Sweden in the round of 16.
The U.S. women's national team has won four of the first five Olympic Games in which women's soccer was played, but is coming off a bronze medal in 2021 in Tokyo and is seeking its first gold medal since the 2012 London Olympics.
World champions Spain are among the favourites to win, but defending gold medallists Canada could also be in the running to win. Unlike the men's Olympic soccer tournament, there is no age limit for the U-23s, which means a wealth of top talent will be on display.
The top two teams from each group, as well as the top two third-placed teams, will advance to the finals. Here's what to expect from the tournament, which begins on July 25 and ends on August 10.
Group A
Group A is one of the most difficult to predict. Although there are no first-time teams (each team has played in the tournament at least twice before and has some familiarity), it is an intriguing and competitive field.
Reigning champions Canada will be looking to defend their title but will have to do so without retired player Christine Sinclair. Hosts France are still searching for their first major title but are looking to step up their game and should be favourites with home field advantage and their recent success reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2022. Meanwhile, Colombia showed their mettle by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals last summer and will certainly be looking to make another knockout stage appearance.
New Zealand, while historically behind, are beginning to show promise and could surprise more established teams, adding an element of unpredictability. With quality players such as Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Linda Caicedo, Ali Riley and Jordin Huitema in the mix, Group A could have some twists and turns.
Player to watch: Linda Caicedo
After shining at the 2023 World Cup at just 18 years old, Real Madrid and Colombia forward Caicedo is poised to impress fans at this Olympics. Her exceptional vision, skill and finishing make her one of the players to watch in this group. We've seen the best defenses in the world struggle to contain this youngster and we expect the same to happen again this time around.
Must-see matches
Despite the rivalry between France and Canada, Colombia vs France could be the most exciting matchup between two ruthless, physical attacking teams. Both teams boast great talent on the pitch and while France is full of confidence, Colombia has shown they are a force to be reckoned with since beating Germany at last year's World Cup. Expect some fireworks when these two teams meet in Lyon on July 25th.
Predictions: 1. France, 2. Canada, 3. Colombia, 4. New Zealand
France, with their talent and experience, are likely to top the group. The battle for second place will be fierce, with Canada likely to edge out Colombia, but the South Americans could pull off a surprise result. New Zealand lack the depth and finishing power to finish higher than fourth. — Emily Keogh
Group B
I'm not going to buy into the cliche of death for any group here, but I will say that this group has a lot of potential winners and losers. Given the track records of the US, Germany, and (to some extent recently) Australia, casual fans may be writing Zambia off at their own peril. Zambia may have the best player in the tournament in NWSL forward Barbara Banda, and Germany just lost star midfielder Lena Oberdorf to injury. Add in the inconsistent US and Australian teams, and this group is pretty much even.
The U.S. Women's National Team will be the team that receives the most global attention due to its 2023 World Cup flop and the recent appointment of new head coach Emma Hayes. While a gold medal seems like a long shot given the team's state of transition, it would be the first time since women's soccer was introduced to the Olympics in 1996 that the U.S. has failed to win both the World Cup and the Olympics the following year.
Germany, the 2016 gold medallists, are back in the Olympics after missing out entirely last time out because of Europe's previous double-jeopardy qualification system, which was based on World Cup standings.
Australia, meanwhile, will have to get through the Olympics without star striker Sam Kerr, who ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in January. Australia finished fourth in the 2021 Olympics and last year's World Cup, which they co-hosted.
Player to watch: Barbra Banda
Three years ago, the Zambian forward became the first player in Olympic history to score hat tricks in consecutive games, and she currently leads the NWSL scoring charts with 12 goals in 12 games. Hayes has called Banda “the most in-form striker in world soccer,” and few would disagree.
Must-see matches
Even without Kerr, Australia's final group game against the United States on July 31 will be a tough one. The two teams have had some tough matches recently, including the bronze medal game three years ago when the Americans led 4-1 before winning 4-3. Both teams may go into the game knowing they need to produce a result to advance.
Predictions: 1. Germany, 2. USA, 3. Zambia, 4. Australia
This is a Route for Chaos group. In the opening match, I expect the US Women's National Team and Zambia to go into an open-ended transition game and end in a high-scoring draw. Germany will beat Australia in the other opening match, then pick up a point from the USA. Zambia and Australia will also draw in the second match. So the final match will be Germany (4), USA (2), Zambia (2), Australia (2). Then, Zambia will learn from their lesson against Germany in a pre-2023 World Cup friendly and pick up a point, and USA will also advance by narrowly beating Australia. Zambia will hope to advance as the third-placed team. — Jeff Kasuff
1:16
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Group C
There are no escape routes for teams in Olympic women's soccer, but Group C is extremely tough in terms of talent and experience, even by tournament standards.
World champions Spain are in the running to win their first trophy at the 2023 World Cup and have continued to show their strength despite some off-pitch turmoil in recent months. La Roja They will be the favourites to win in France, but history is not on their side: no team has ever won consecutive World Cup and Olympic gold medals.
Japan goes into the Olympics in good form and may surprise some, as they did at the World Cup, but their place in the knockout stages may depend on a match against Brazil. The two teams have met in three friendlies in the past nine months, including one win and one draw at the SheBelieves Cup in April.
Africa's most successful women's team, Nigeria, comes in at number four. Though their Olympic record is less than stellar, the Super Eagles made an impression at the World Cup, surprising several teams with their clever football before losing to England on penalties in the round of 16. Nigeria is a team to be reckoned with, but they have not wowed the world in recent games and may be considered fodder for the other three nations.
Player to watch: Aitana Bommati
There's such a wealth of talent in this group that it's hard to pick just one, but as has been the case recently, the player to watch is reigning Ballon d'Or winner Bommati. The Barcelona midfielder is the chief architect of Spain's moves, orchestrating his team's movements with his exceptional vision and prodigious passing range.
And with this likely to be Brazilian legend Marta's final competition and certainly her final Olympics, everyone should be keeping an eye on what the 38-year-old does.
Must-see match: Spain vs Japan
Spain vs Japan, a replay of a Group C match from the 2023 World Cup, will kick off the first leg of the Olympic Games on July 25. Last year, Japan thumped Spain 4-0, a result that left eventual champions struggling for the rest of the tournament. This match should show how far both nations can go in France and should provide plenty of entertainment for purists, regardless of the outcome.
Predictions: 1. Spain, 2. Japan, 3. Brazil, 4. Nigeria
Spain have become better at surviving tough matches and will be looking to carry their World Cup winning momentum into this tournament. They are likely to top their group, with Japan close behind. Brazil will be looking to pull off an upset, but have yet to produce convincing results under coach Arthur Elias. Brazil will need to continue their good form in their opening match against Nigeria, who have struggled a bit in recent matches. — Sophie Lawson
