In the 2024 Olympic Men’s Football Tournament, there are 16 teams participating.The teams are arranged into four groups, with each group containing four teams. Here’s the groups with each team.
Group A
- France
- USA
- Guinea
- New Zealand
Group B
- Argentina
- Morocco
- Ukraine
- Iraq
Group C
- Uzbekistan
- Spain
- Egypt
- Dominican Republic
Group D
- Japan
- Paraguay
- Mali
- Israel
Read also – Spain U23 vs Egypt U23 – Who Will Win?
We also provide comprehensive insights and essential details for each team across the four groups:
Group A Teams Analysis:
France
Head Coach: Thierry Henry
Qualification: Automatic as hosts
Previous Appearances: 13 times (1900, 1908, 1920, 1924, 1928, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1968, 1976, 1984, 1996, 2020)
Best Result: Gold medal (1984)
Overview: France, guided by Thierry Henry, aims to showcase its young talent on home soil. With seasoned forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Jean-Philippe Mateta, the squad also features promising stars like Michael Olise, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Bradley Barcola from PSG.
USA
Head Coach: Marko Mitrovic
Qualification: 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship winners
Previous Appearances: 14 times (1904, 1924, 1928, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1972, 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008)
Best Result: Silver medal (1904)
Overview: The USA squad is still being finalized. Walker Zimmerman is confirmed as an overage player, with emerging talents like Kavin Parades and Jalen Neal expected to join the team.
Guinea
Head Coach: Kaba Diawara
Qualification: Winners of AFC-CAF play-off
Previous Appearances: 1 time (1968)
Best Result: Group stage (1968)
Overview: Guinea’s return to the Olympics after more than 50 years is marked by the presence of key player Ilaix Moriba, who scored the crucial goal to secure their qualification.
New Zealand
Head Coach: Darren Bazeley
Qualification: Champions of the 2023 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament
Previous Appearances: 3 times (2008, 2012, 2020)
Best Result: Quarter-final (2020)
Overview: New Zealand’s squad, featuring Luis Toomey and Jesse Randall, aims to build on their strong qualifying performance and make a deeper run in the tournament.
Group B Teams Analysis:
Argentina
Head Coach: Javier Mascherano
Qualification: Second place in CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament
Previous Appearances: 9 times (1928, 1960, 1964, 1988, 1996, 2004, 2008, 2016, 2020)
Best Result: Gold medal (2004, 2008)
Overview: Argentina, under Javier Mascherano, fields a youthful squad devoid of senior stars due to Copa America commitments, focusing instead on up-and-coming talents.
Morocco
Head Coach: Tarik Sektioui
Qualification: Winners of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Previous Appearances: 7 times (1964, 1972, 1984, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2012)
Best Result: Second round (1972)
Overview: Morocco’s young squad, still awaiting final confirmation, is expected to be competitive but faces a tough group stage challenge.
Ukraine
Head Coach: Ruslan Rotan
Qualification: Semi-finalists in UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Previous Appearances: 0
Best Result: N/A
Overview: Ukraine, making its Olympic debut, will rely on players from their successful U-21 team, including standout young talents like Heorhiy Sudakov and Mykhailo Mudryk.
Iraq
Head Coach: Radhi Shenaishil Swadi
Qualification: Third place in AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024
Previous Appearances: Appeared 5 times in 2016, 2004, 1988,1984, 1980
Best Result: Fourth place (2004)
Overview: Iraq’s squad, featuring key players like Ridha Fadhil and Ali Jasim, is looking to make an impact after a strong performance in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup.
Group C Teams Analysis:
Uzbekistan
Head Coach: Timur Kapadze
Qualification: Reached final of AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024
Previous Appearances: 0
Best Result: N/A
Overview: Uzbekistan’s Olympic squad includes promising talents such as Abdukodir Khusanov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, and Khusayin Norchaev, aiming to make a strong debut.
Spain
Head Coach: Santi Denia
Qualification: Finalists in 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Previous Appearances: Appeared 11 times in 1920, 1924, 1928, 1968, 1976, 1980, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2012, 2020
Best Result: Gold medal (1992)
Overview: Spain’s squad features a new generation of stars like Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal, and Pedri, along with key Barcelona players Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia.
Egypt
Head Coach: Rogerio Micale
Qualification: Finalists in U-23 Africa Cup of Nations
Previous Appearances: 12 times (1920, 1924, 1928, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1960, 1964, 1984, 1992, 2012, 2020)
Best Result: Quarter-final (1928, 1964)
Overview: Egypt, led by Mohamed Elneny, features a promising young squad that has the potential to achieve significant success in Paris.
Dominican Republic
Head Coach: Ibai Gomez
Qualification: Finalists in 2022 Concacaf U-20 Championship
Previous Appearances: 0
Best Result: N/A
Overview: Making their Olympic debut, the Dominican Republic squad includes talents like Oscar Urena, Edgar Pujol, and Rafa Nunez, hoping to make a memorable first impression.
Group D Teams Analysis:
Japan
Head Coach: Go Oiwa
Qualification: Finalists in AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2024
Previous Appearances: Eleven. Appearances in 1936, 1956, 1964, 1968, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
Best Result: Bronze medal (1968)
Overview: Japan, aiming for a strong performance, has a preliminary squad of 24 players, which will be trimmed to 18 for the Games.
Paraguay
Head Coach: Carlos Jara Saguier
Qualification: Topped final standings in CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament
Previous Appearances: 2 times (1992, 2004)
Best Result: Silver medal (2004)
Overview: Despite recent struggles in preparation, Paraguay hopes to replicate their past success with a squad similar to the one that played friendlies against Argentina.
Mali
Head Coach: Alou Badra Diallo
Qualification: Third place in the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations
Previous Appearances: 1 time (2004)
Best Result: Quarter-final (2004)
Overview: Mali’s squad includes players like Hamidou Makalou and Ibrahima Diarra, with high hopes for a medal finish.
Israel
Head Coach: Guy Luzon
Qualification: Semi-finalists in 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Previous Appearances: 2 times (1968, 1976)
Best Result: Quarter-final (1968, 1976)
Overview: Returning to the Olympics after nearly 50 years, Israel’s squad will feature many under-21 players such as Idan Gorno, Suf Podgoreanu, and Stav Lemkin, aiming to make a significant impact.
