Women’s Olympic football tournament draw: World champions Spain to face Brazil at Paris 2024
We have just moved one giant step closer to kick off with the completion of the official draw for the women’s Olympic football tournament, which took place today (20 March) at Le Pulse Building in Saint-Denis, Paris.
World champions Spain, appearing at the Olympic Games for the first time in their history, will go up against two-time silver medallists Brazil in Group C, which also includes London 2012 silver medallists Japan. This group will also feature a rematch of the Spain-Japan 2023 Women's World Cup group-stage match where Japan ran out 4-0 winners. The group will be rounded out with either Nigeria or South Africa, depending on which team obtains a quota during the CAF 2 African Qualifiers to be contested from 1 to 9 April.
Group A will see hosts France face off against Colombia in their first match of the tournament. The French team will be aiming to become only the second host nation to triumph in women's football at the Olympics after the USA's victory at Atlanta 1996. Tokyo 2020 reigning gold medalists Canada, along with New Zealand, making their fifth successive appearance, complete the group.
In the Group B opener, four-time champions, the USA will meet either Morocco or Zambia (based on which team secures a quota during the CAF 2 African Qualifiers). Fans will also be looking forward to the match between USA and Rio 2016 gold medallists Germany, with Australia’s Matildas the final team in the group.
Paris 2024 women’s Olympic football tournament groups
Group A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand
Group B: USA, CAF 2, Germany, Australia
Group C: Spain, Japan, CAF 1, Brazil
When will the last two teams be confirmed?
The last two teams in the groups will be determined at the CAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament to be contested from 1 to 9 April. In contention are Nigeria and South Africa competing for CAF 1 and Morocco and Zambia competing for CAF 2.
Nigeria are aiming to reach the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the third time, Zambia and South Africa for the second time, and Morocco are looking to earn the country’s inaugural Olympic appearance.
Twila Kaufman: “The main goal for the team anytime we put on the crest, is to win.”
“The main goal for the team, anytime we put on the crest, is to win.” Twila Kaufman, US Women's National Team interim head coach, told Olympics.com “We're continuing to develop our style of play, and we're moving into a new and exciting time with our team and with Emma [Hayes] joining us for the Olympics. Putting on a really good showing is really important.
“We know that anybody we drew was going to be very competitive," she continued. "Obviously, we're very familiar with Germany and Australia, and we're looking for who is next up—who the next announced opponent is going to be, but we know that both of them are very strong. And we're very excited about all of them.”
Arsène Wenger, FIFA Chief of Global Football Development (and former Arsenal manager), shared his views on France's chances with Olympics.com, saying: “I think both French teams, men and women, have a strong chance to qualify for the quarter-final. The real difficulty will begin there."
France women's coach Hervé Renard highlighted the fact there are no easy games at the Olympics and urged his team to respect of their opponents at Paris 2024.
“Sometimes, you are happy with a draw, and then, you don't like what happens next. Sometimes, you're afraid of which teams you've drawn, and in the end, it goes well. We got Canada—Olympic champions, and not an easy opponent," he said. "Colombia had a great World Cup, with a very physically strong team, which beat Germany. And New Zealand beat Norway in the opening of this same World Cup.
“We have to respect all of these opponents, knowing that it's always better to finish first in your group, especially thinking of what teams you could get in the quarter-final, if we make it. When you look at the 12 teams for these Games, you realise the level is extremely high,” Renard concluded.
National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024. Click here to see the official qualification system for each sport.