Olympic football competitions are always interesting to watch, but Paris 2024 promises to provide some incredible spectacles in both the men's and women's matches.
[ MORE: Watch Paris 2024 Olympic soccer ]
With the U.S. Men's and Women's teams competing in the Olympic Games for the first time since 2008, superstar call-ups and matches taking place in stadiums across France before the Final in Paris, there's a lot to watch this summer.
[ MORE: Full schedule for Paris 2024 Olympic soccer ]
Here's everything you need to know.
How will Olympic soccer be played at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
The women's soccer tournament will feature 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, plus the best two third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout round, followed by quarterfinals and semifinals, with the semifinal losers facing off in the bronze medal match and the semifinal winners facing off in the gold medal match.
The men's tournament will feature 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, with the losers of the semifinals meeting in the bronze medal game and the winners of the semifinals meeting in the gold medal game.
How many teams will qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic soccer group stage?
The following 12 teams have advanced to the group stage of the women's football tournament:
Group A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand
Group B: USA Women's National Team, Zambia, Germany, Australia
Group C: Spain, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil
The following 16 teams have advanced to the group stage of the men's soccer tournament:
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
Who is the favorite to win football gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics?
In the women's tournament, the United States Women's National Team is the favorite to win, followed closely by reigning World Cup champions Spain and hosts France. In the men's tournament, the favorites to win are hosts France (coached by Thierry Henry), as well as reigning European champions Spain and reigning South American and World Cup champions Argentina.
Where will the 2024 Paris Olympics soccer final be held?
The finals of both tournaments will be held at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. The women's final will take place on Saturday, August 10 at 11:00 AM ET. The men's final will take place on Friday, August 9 at 12:00 PM ET.
Who are the top soccer players for the Paris 2024 Olympics?
Unlike the men's tournament, the women's tournament has no age restrictions, so you can watch some of the world's best players in action, such as Lindsey Horan (USA, Lyon), Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit), Rose Lavelle (USA, New Jersey/New York Gotham), Mallory Swanson (USA, Chicago Red Stars), Hayley Raso (Australia, Real Madrid), Marta (Brazil, Orlando Pride), Wendy Renard (France, Lyon), Eugénie Le Sommer (France, Lyon), Amandine Henry (France, Utah Royals), Lena Oberdorf (Germany, Wolfsburg), Alexandra Popp (Germany, Wolfsburg), Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona), Mariona Cardentei (Spain, Arsenal), Aitana Bommati (Spain, Barcelona), Jennifer Hermoso (Spain, Tigres) and Salma Parraluelo (Spain, Barcelona).
As mentioned above, there is an age limit for the men's tournament, and players must be 23 years old or younger. Therefore, players born on or after January 1, 2001 are eligible to participate. However, each county can select up to three players over the age limit.
The top players in the men's tournament who will compete in the Olympics are:
- Julian Alvarez (Argentina, Manchester City)
- Ryan Cherki (Lyon, France)
- Pau Kubalci (Barcelona, Spain)
- Mohamed Elneny (Egypt, former Arsenal)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco, Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon, France)
- Fermin Lopez (Barcelona, Spain)
- Castello Lukeba (France, RB Leipzig)
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (France, Crystal Palace)
- Michael O'Leary (France, Bayern Munich)
- Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica, Argentina)
- Gaga Slonina (Chelsea, USA)
Which city will host football at the 2024 Paris Olympics?
The following cities and stadiums will host football matches during the 2024 Olympic Games:
Bordeaux – Stade de Bordeaux, capacity 42,115
Lyon – Stade de Lyon, capacity 59,186
Marseille – Stade de Marseille, capacity 67,394
Nantes – Stade de la Beaujoire, capacity 35,322
Nice – Stade de Nice, capacity 36,178
Paris – Parc des Princes, capacity 47,929 (both finals)
Saint-Étienne – Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, capacity 41,965
