Women's Olympic Football 2024: Previews, Predictions, and Key Insights

In their first competitive matches under Emma Hayes's leadership as head coach, the U.S. women's national soccer team is now competing in the 2024 Olympic soccer competition in Paris. Last year, the USWNT had its worst World Cup result ever, losing in the quarterfinals to Sweden, and she now takes charge.

The United States women's national soccer team has won four of the five Olympic tournaments that have included women's soccer. However, after earning bronze in 2021 in Tokyo, they are still looking for their first Olympic gold medal since the 2012 London Games.

Spain, the reigning world champions, and Canada, the reigning gold medalists, are both considered strong contenders. There are no minimum ages for competitors, unlike the men's Olympic soccer competition, therefore a plethora of promising young players may compete.

In the next round, only the two best teams from each group, as well as the two best teams from the third place, will advance. From July 25th to the 10th, the following is a rundown of what to anticipate from the event.

GROUP A

France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand

Among the most unpredictable groups is Group A. Each team has participated in the event twice or more, so there are no rookies among them, but it's still an intriguing and very competitive field.

Canada is looking to retain their championship, but they will be without Christine Sinclair, who has retired, from the team. France, who have yet to win a major trophy, will undoubtedly be a formidable opponent because to their home field advantage, recent success in advancing to the quarterfinals of Euro 2022, and their intense level of competition. Colombia, meanwhile, proved their mettle last summer by advancing to the quarterfinals of the World Cup; this year, they will undoubtedly contend for a spot in the knockout stages as well.

Unpredictability is further enhanced by the fact that even New Zealand, who has a history of falling behind, is showing signs of improvement and might shock the more seasoned teams. Group A might be full of surprises with players like Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Linda Caicedo, Ali Riley, and Jordyn Huitema competing.

Player to watch: Linda Caicedo

The 18-year-old Colombian and Real Madrid attacker Caicedo is sure to wow spectators in the Olympics after his sensational performance at the 2023 World Cup. She stands out among her peers with her remarkable vision, talent, and finishing. We should not be surprised if even the top defenses in the world have trouble stopping the kid in this event.

Our Prediction: 1. France, 2. Canada, 3. Colombia, 4. New Zealand

It is quite probable that France's group will be won by their skilled and seasoned team. While Colombia has a better chance of finishing second than Canada, the South Americans still have the ability to shock the competition. To finish higher than fourth, New Zealand just does not have enough depth or clinical edge.

GROUP B

United States, Zambia, Germany, Australia

No bunch of death clichés will be tolerated here, however let it be said that this group has a lot of potential. It would be a mistake for casual fans to overlook Zambia because of the strong connections to the US, Germany, and (to a lesser degree) Australia. With striker Barbra Banda, who is dazzling in the NWSL, leading Zambia, and star midfielder Lena Oberdorf out with an injury, Germany may have the tournament's finest player on their hands. When you include in the inconsistent performances of the U.S. and Australian teams, you have a really unpredictable bunch.

Following their humiliation in the 2023 World Cup and the hiring of new head coach Emma Hayes, the United States Women's National Team will be the center of attention across the world. If the United States women's soccer team weren't to win a gold medal at the Olympics or the World Cup the following year—an accomplishment that seems unlikely given the team's current transition—it would be the first time this has happened since the Olympics started included women's soccer in 1996.

Germany, winners of the gold medal in 2016, are returning to the Olympics after being disqualified from the previous year's competition due to Europe's outdated double jeopardy qualification procedure, which was based on World Cup ranking.

Meanwhile, Australia will be without renowned striker Sam Kerr at the Olympics due to an ACL tear she suffered in January. In 2021, Australia placed fourth in the Olympics, and in 2018, the nation shared hosting duties for the World Cup.

Player to watch: Barbra Banda

Three years ago, the forward from Zambia made history in the Olympics by scoring hat tricks in consecutive games. She has scored 12 goals in 12 games for the NWSL today, tying her for the lead. Banda was undoubtedly "the most in-form striker in world football," as Hayes put it.

Prediction: 1. Germany, 2. USA, 3. Zambia, 4. Australia

This is the faction known as Root for Chaos. In the first match, I anticipate a high-scoring tie between the USWNT and Zambia after an open-ended transition game. In the other first match, Germany defeats Australia and then draws with the United States; on matchday two, Zambia and Australia also end in a tie. Germany (4), United States (2), Zambia (2), and Australia (2) will round off the last matchday. After learning from their 2023 World Cup friendly match against Germany, Zambia advances with a point, while the United States also advances with a close victory against Australia. Being the third-place squad, Zambia aspires to go forward.

GROUP C

Spain, Japan, Nigeria, Brazil

Group C is notoriously difficult for the amount of experience and quality it has, even by the norms of the competition, but in women's Olympic soccer, no team can afford to hide.

Defending champions of the world In spite of turmoil off the field, the headliner is Spain, who won their first trophy at the 2023 World Cup and have been showing off their skills recently. Although La Roja are heavy favorites to win both the World Cup and the Olympics in the same year, history does not support their chances of doing so in France.

Japan is riding high heading into the Olympics, where they have the potential to shock some, much as they did during the World Cup. However, their fate in the quarterfinals may hinge on how they do against Brazil. In their three previous encounters, both teams emerged victorious in the nine-month window leading up to April's SheBelieves Cup draw.

Nigeria completes the four as Africa's most successful women's team. The Super Falcons may not have a stellar track record in the Olympics, but they were the talk of the World Cup thanks to their clever game, which stunned several teams before ultimately losing in a penalty shootout to England. Though they shouldn't be underestimated, Nigeria hasn't exactly been firing on all cylinders as of late and might be seen as a target for the other three countries.

Player to watch: Aitana Bonmatí

Given the group's abundance of potential, selecting only one would be a challenge. However, as has been the case often recently, Bonmatí is the one to keep an eye on. The midfielder from Barcelona is Spain's main mastermind, directing the team's movements with breathtaking vision and unbelievable passing range.

Also, everyone should be watching Brazil superstar Marta, who is 38 years old, compete in what may be her last tournament—and most likely her last Olympics.

Prediction: 1. Spain, 2. Japan, 3. Brazil, 4. Nigeria

Spain, riding high on the success of their World Cup run, will want to continue their impressive play in this competition. Even though Japan is close behind, they are still favorites to win the group. Brazil, who have failed to impress so far under coach Arthur Elias, will be aiming for an upset. In their first game, they'll face a Nigerian squad that has had some recent struggles, so they'll need to get out to a fast start. Thanks, Sophie Lawson

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