The 2024 Olympic Games are just a few days away, as Friday’s opening ceremony raises the curtain on two weeks of nonstop competition. Even before the ceremony, though, there will be Olympic action to enjoy, with the men’s football tournament kicking off in stadiums across France this Wednesday.
16 teams will compete for a spot on the podium, as each participating nation sends an under-23 squad with up to three overage players. While the Olympics lack the prestige they have in other sports when it comes to men’s football, the event will still feature some serious talent and will be a fitting end to an exciting summer of international tournaments.
The big question, then, is which nation will come out on top at Paris 2024?
Glory for the Hosts?
France have qualified for this year’s tournament as the host nation and they have strong chances of winning the gold medal in front of a home crowd. Even without the three overage exceptions, Les Bleus have a star-studded squad. Most every member of the side plays their club football in a top-flight European team.
Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise has been his club’s bright spark in the Premier League for several seasons and now has the opportunity to represent his country at the Olympics. With Rayan Cherki of Lyon in the mix as well, the French have limitless potential on the wing.
Cherki’s Lyon teammate Alexandre Lacazette will be the primary striker and captain France as one of its overage players. Midfielder Desiré Doué, who plays for Rennes, has been one of the hottest commodities in the summer transfer window. Several of the Premier League’s “Big Six” are clamoring for his signature, as is Bayern Munich, but the 18-year-old is fully focused on the Games.
Manager Thierry Henry’s side are unbeaten in preparatory friendlies this year, notably thrashing fellow Olympic sides Paraguay and Dominican Republic. They look to bring an Olympic gold to France for the first time since 1984.
More Silverware for Spain?
It’s already been a triumphant summer for the Spanish national team, as they recently clinched the EURO 2024 title. Now, La Roja have their sights set on an Olympic gold, which has eluded them since 1992. At youth level, the Spaniards have excelled in the last few years, but just failed to win a title, losing in the final of both Tokyo 2020 and the U21 EURO 2023. Nonetheless, they’ve earned an Olympic berth and look to break an unlucky streak this year.
Spain’s squad is laden with talent from the domestic La Liga. The most eye-catching name is Álex Baena, fresh off a record-breaking season at Villareal in which he led the league with 14 assists. Another emerging talent on the list is Atlético Madrid striker Samu Omorodion, who had a phenomenal season on loan at Alavés.
At 17 years old, defender Pau Cubarsí is the youngest player at this year’s Olympics, but he’s more than up to the task. The Barcelona wonderkid had a dream first season in senior football, emerging as one of the standout performers of the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. So blessed is Spain with youngsters that the oldest players in their squad for Paris 2024 are 24-year-olds Juan Miranda and Abel Ruiz. The latter will serve as captain at the tournament.
No one will be more motivated to win gold at this tournament than Spain, after their extra time defeat to Brazil in the final three years ago. With Brazil failing to qualify this time around, Santi Denia and his fiery Spaniards could very well be next in line.
Argentina and USA: Worthy Challengers
It’s hard to identify any favorites outside of the aforementioned Spain and France, but Argentina and the United States should be the closest challengers.
Argentina’s second place finish at this year’s CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament earned them a third consecutive participation at the Olympic tournament. Their history in the competition is storied, with two silver medals and back-to-back gold medals in 2004 and 2008. The Argentines haven’t advanced past the group stage since their title run in Beijing, though.
Javier Mascherano manages a squad that features national team legend Nicolás Otamendi and current star Juliàn Àlvarez as two of its over-23 players. Àlvarez is fresh off yet another Copa América title with the senior team. Thiago Almada is set to be another of the team’s leaders in France. The 23-year-old recently left Atlanta United for Botafogo and is on a fast track to Europe, with Botafogo’s partner clubs Crystal Palace and Lyon both possible landing spots in 2025.
The United States punched their ticket to the Olympic Games by winning the 2022 CONCACAF U20 Championship, where they registered six wins, one draw and zero defeats. Coach Marko Mitrović’s talents scored 31 goals at the tournament and conceded just two. The Stars and Stripes thus end a 16-year absence from the Olympic tournament.
Captain Walker Zimmerman provides experience and leadership in a team that features fellow USMNT mainstay Miles Robinson. Chelsea youngsters Gabriel Slonina and Caleb Wiley (who just completed a move from Atlanta United) will also don the American kit this summer. Benjamin Cremaschi, one of Inter Miami’s most important players over the last year, is another talent making his major tournament debut.
Olympics Always Difficult to Predict
The Olympic Football Tournament is known for being incredibly diverse, and this year is no different. Uzbekistan, Mali, Dominican Republic, Iraq, New Zealand, Israel and Guinea are among the minnows contending for the title. Established footballing nations like Japan, Paraguay, Morocco, Egypt and Ukraine round out the field. There’s no telling what upsets might yet be brewing. Any of these nations could threaten the favorites’ title bids.
For the fans, all that’s left to do is sit back and enjoy the show. Club football is back soon but for now, it’s time for one last international tournament this summer.
Main Image: “Olympics 238” by Adrian Brown via Flickr