The battle for football medals is wide open at the Olympic Games

The football tournaments of the Olympics promise to be entertaining and captivating – even though there are some names missing from both the men and women’s events at the games. From the men’s roster, the most glaring absentee is Brazil. 

In the women’s draw, reigning European champions England are absent from the 12 medal hopefuls which have gathered in France for the 2024 showpiece.

Despite being the most successful men’s football side at the Games – with a total of seven medals (two gold, three silver and two bronze) since the first Games football tournament in 1900 – Brazil miss out on defending the Olympic title they won at Tokyo 2020. They were also victorious on home soil in 2016 during the Rio-hosted edition.

The Brazilians’ absence has left nations such as hosts France, plus two-time Olympic gold medallists in the event, Argentina, as frontrunners for the coveted gold medal. 

Spain cannot be discounted either, and the country’s youngsters will be especially motivated after seeing the senior side romp to victory at the 2024 European Championship a few weeks ago.

Despite the men’s football competition at the Olympics being an under-23 event (with an allowance of three players over that age), there is no room for the two Spanish starlets that were pivotal in the senior side’s European conquest. 

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have been rested, even though they would have both been eligible to play in France and possibly add another gold medal to their collection.

Fermin López and Álex Baena can make history though. The pair represented Spain in Germany for the Euros. They are now in the cohort selected to try and propel Spain to its first gold medal at the Games since Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola captained the side to overall victory at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

“We are very happy to have them, and that they won such an important championship,” Spain’s coach Santi Denia said of the presence of López and Baena. “We want to thank them for making the effort to be here at the Olympic Games and for having the commitment to be at both tournaments.”

France will depend on the likes of newly signed Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise, as well as veteran forward and captain Alexandre Lacazette. 

They would have loved to have Kylian Mbappé present. However, his new club Real Madrid blocked his participation at the tournament. The fact that the striker broke his nose at the Euros likely played a part in the club’s decision.

There are four Fifa World Cup winners at the Games – Argentine quartet Julián Álvarez, defender Nicolás Otamendi, Gerónimo Rulli and Thiago Almada. The quartet will try to write history as the first male players to win a World Cup and then Olympic gold.

Achraf Hakimi of Team Morocco is challenged by Kevin Zenon of Team Argentina during the Men’s group B match between Argentina and Morocco during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, on 24 July 2024. (Photo: Tullio M Puglia / Getty Images)

John Tolkin of Team United States is challenged by Enzo Millot of Team France during the Men’s group A match between France and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, on 24 July 2024. (Photo: Clive Mason / Getty Images)

Michael Olise of Team France celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Men’s group A match between France and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, on 24 July 2024. (Photo: Clive Mason / Getty Images)