AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024: Olyroos begin quest for Paris Olympics football spot - know schedule, how to watch live

The Australian men’s football team will begin its AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 campaign with a group-stage match against Jordan at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Monday.

The Olyroos have been drawn in Group A and will also face hosts Qatar and Indonesia. The match against Indonesia is scheduled to take place at the same venue on April 18. Australia will take on Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan on April 22. Live streaming of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup will be available in Australia.

Saudi Arabia are the defending champions heading into this year’s competition. After finishing runners-up twice in 2013 and 2020, they defeated Uzbekistan in the 2022 final to join Iraq, Japan, Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea as champions of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

For Australia, the U-23 Asian Cup also represents the opportunity to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The two finalists and the third-placed team at the Asian Cup will qualify for the upcoming Summer Games. Meanwhile, the team that finishes fourth will get another shot at qualifying through an intercontinental play-off clash with Guinea.

The Australian women’s football team has already qualified for the Paris Olympics.

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 comprises 16 teams divided into four equal groups. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The two semi-finals will be held on April 29 whereas the final is set to take place at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on May 3.

Australia finished third at the 2020 edition of the U-23 Asian Cup to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. The team missed out in 2016 and 2012 by exiting at the group stage. The Olyroos finished fourth in the 2022 edition of the U-23 Asian Cup.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024: Olyroos schedule

As per Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)

• April 15, Monday: Australia U-23 vs Jordan U-23, Group A - 11:00 PM
• April 18, Thursday: Indonesia U-23 vs Qatar U-23, Group A - 11:00 PM
• April 22, Monday: Qatar U-23 vs Australia U-23, Group A - 1:30 AM

How to watch AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 live in Australia

The AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024 will be broadcast live in Australia on Paramount+.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024: Australia men’s football team

Patrick Beach (GK), Lachlan Brook, Cameron Cook (GK), Jordan Courtney-Perkins, Louis D'Arrigo, Jacob Farrell, Jake Girdwood-Reich, Steven Hall (GK), Jake Hollman, Jacob Italiano, Alou Kuol, Garang Kuol, Nicolas Milanovic, Mark Natta, Alexandar Popovic, Adrian Segecic, Callum Talbot, Ryan Teague, Marco Tilio, Mohamed Toure, Jordi Valadon, Nishan Velupillay, Rhys Youlley.