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Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football: All you need to know - watch live in India

The women’s Olympic football tournament at Tokyo 2020 is set to begin from Wednesday, July 21 and run on till Friday, August 6.

The 12 teams - which excludes reigning champions Germany - are expected to arrive in Japan next week and will stay in their respective bio-bubbles.

The participating teams are Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden (Europe), Brazil, Chile (South America), USA, Canada (North America), Zambia (Africa), People’s Republic of China, Australia, New Zealand and host Japan (Asian Zone).

The teams are divided into three groups of four, with the group letters (E-G) following directly on from the men’s tournament (A-D). The top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-place finishers, will progress to the knockout stage.

Since the tournament’s inception in 1996, only three teams have won gold (the USA, Germany and Norway). The USA team - that boasts the likes of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd - are chasing a record-extending fifth Olympic gold.

The women’s Olympic football tournament will be played across seven venues in six host cities - Kashima, Rifu, Saitama, Sapporo, Tokyo and Yokohama. The final will be played at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on August 6.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football teams and full squads

Group E

Canada

Goalkeepers Stephanie Labbe, Kailen Sheridan, Erin McLeod
Defenders Kadeisha Buchanan, Vanessa Gilles, Shelina Zadorsky, Allysha Chapman, Ashley Lawrence, Jayde Riviere, Gabrielle Carle
Midfielders Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso, Quinn, Desiree Scott, Sophie Schmidt
Forwards Janine Beckie, Adriana Leon, Nichelle Prince, Deanne Rose, Christine Sinclair, Evelyne Viens, Jordyn Huitema

Chile

Goalkeepers Christiane Endler, Natalia Campos, Antonia Canales
Defenders Carla Guerrero, Camila Saez, Daniela Pardo, Javiera Toro, Valentina Diaz, Fernanda Ramirez
Midfielders Francisca Lara, Yanara Aedo, Karen Araya, Yessenia Lopez, Francisca Mardones, Nayadet Lopez, Yastin Jimenez
Forwards Daniela Zamora, Maria Jose Urrutia, Fernanda Pinilla, Rosario Balmaceda, Javiera Grez

Great Britain

Goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck, Carly Telford, Sandy MacIver
Defenders Millie Bright, Lucy Bronze, Rachel Daly, Steph Houghton, Demi Stokes, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
Midfielders Sophie Ingle, Kim Little, Jill Scott, Keira Walsh, Caroline Weir, Niamh Charles
Forwards Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway, Ellen White, Ella Toone

Japan

Goalkeepers Sakiko Ikeda, Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao
Defenders Risa Shimizu, Saori Takarada, Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami, Asato Miyagawa, Nanami Kitamura, Shiori Miyake
Midfielders Hina Sugita, Emi Nakajima, Narumi Miura, Jun Endo, Yuzuho Shiokoshi, Yui Hasegawa, Honoka Hayashi, Momoka Kinoshita
Forwards Yuika Sugasawa, Mana Iwabuchi, Mina Tanaka, Yuka Momiki

Group F

Brazil

Goalkeepers Barbara, Aline Reiss, Leticia
Defenders Tamires, Erika, Poliana, Rafaelle, Leticia Santos, Bruna Benites, Jucinara
Midfielders Formiga, Marta, Debinha, Andressinha, Julia Bianchi, Duda, Angelina
Forwards Andressa Alves, Bia Zaneratto, Ludmila, Geyse, Giovana

China PR

Goalkeepers Ding Xuan, Peng Shimeng, Zhu Yu
Defenders Chen Qiaozhu, Li Mengwen, Lin Yuping, Luo Guiping, Wang Xiaoxue, Wu Haiyan, Wang Ying, Wang Yanwen
Midfielders Li Qingtong, Liu Jing, Wang Yan, Xiao Yuyi, Miao Siwen, Zhang Xin, Yang Lina, Wang Shuang
Forwards Yang Man, Wuri Gumula, Wang Shanshan

Netherlands

Goalkeepers Sari van Veenendaal, Lise Kop, Loes Geurts
Defenders Lynn Wilms, Stefanie van der Gragt, Aniek Nouwen, Merel van der Dongen, Sisca Folkertsma, Kika van Es, Dominique Janssen, Anouk Dekker
Midfielders Jill Roord, Sherida Spitse, Danielle van de Donk, Victoria Pelova, Jackie Groenen, Inessa Kaagman
Forwards Shanice van de Sanden, Vivianne Miedema, Lieke Martens, Lineth Beerensteyn, Renate Jansen

Zambia

Goalkeepers Hazel Nali, Ngambo Musole, Catherine Musonda
Defenders Margaret Belemu, Esther Siamfuko, Agness Musase, Anita Mulenga, Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Vast Phiri, Fikile Khosa
Midfielders Mary Wilombe, Ireen Lungu, Esther Namukwasa, Evarine Susan Katongo, Avell Chitundu, Hellen Chanda
Forwards Barbara Banda, Grace Chanda, Hellen Mubanga, Racheal Kundanaji, Ochumba Oseke

Group G

Australia

Goalkeepers Lydia Williams, McKenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah
Defenders Clare Polkinghorne, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley, Laura Brock, Ellie Carpenter, Aivi Luik, Courtney Nevin, Charlotte Grant
Midfielders Elise Kellond-Knight, Emily van Egmond, Tameka Yallop, Chloe Logarzo, Kyra Cooney-Cross
Forwards Kyah Simon, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Emily Gielnik, Mary Fowler

New Zealand

Goalkeepers Erin Nayler, Anna Leat, Victoria Esson
Defenders Abby Erceg, Ali Riley, Anna Green, Meikayla Moore, C.J. Bott, Elizabeth Anton, Claudia Bunge, Gabi Rennie, Marissa van der Meer
Midfielders Ria Percival, Annalie Longo, Betsy Hassett, Katie Bowen, Olivia Chance, Daisy Cleverley, Emma Rolston
Forwards Hannah Wilkinson, Paige Satchell, Michaela Robertson

Sweden

Goalkeepers Hedvig Lindahl, Jennifer Falk, Zecira Musovic
Defenders Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson, Hanna Glas, Amanda Ilestadt, Nathalie Bjorn, Emma Kullberg
Midfielders Caroline Seger, Olivia Schough, Filippa Angeldal, Julia Roddar, Hanna Bennison
Forwards Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfo, Lina Hurtig, Anna Anvegard, Madelen Janogy, Rebecka Blomqvist

USA

Goalkeepers Adrianna Franch, Alyssa Naeher, Jane Campbell
Defenders Abby Dahlkemper, Tierna Davidson, Crystal Dunn, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett, Casey Krueger
Midfielders Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Kristie Mewis, Samantha Mewis, Catarina Macario
Forwards Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Megan Rapinoe, Lynn Williams

Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football schedule, fixtures and live India match times

All timings are in Indian Standard Time (IST)

Date and Day Match Time Venue
Wednesday, July 21 Great Britain vs Chile 1 PM IST Sapporo Dome
Wednesday, July 21 China vs Brazil 1:30 PM IST Sapporo Dome
Wednesday, July 21 Sweden vs USA 2 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Wednesday, July 21 Japan vs Canada 4 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Wednesday, July 21 Zambia vs Netherlands 4:30 PM IST Tokyo Stadium
Wednesday, July 21 Australia vs New Zealand 5 PM IST Tokyo Stadium
Saturday, July 24 Chile vs Canada 1 PM IST Sapporo Dome
Saturday, July 24 China vs Zambia 1:30 PM IST Sapporo Dome
Saturday, July 24 Sweden vs Australia 2 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Saturday, July 24 Japan vs Great Britain 4 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Saturday, July 24 Netherlands vs Brazil 4:30 PM IST Saitama Stadium
Saturday, July 24 New Zealand vs USA 5 PM IST Saitama Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 New Zealand vs Sweden 1:30 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 USA vs Australia 1:30 PM IST Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 Canada vs Great Britain 4:30 PM IST Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 Chile vs Japan 4:30 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 Brazil vs Zambia 5 PM IST Saitama Stadium
Tuesday, July 27 Netherlands vs China 5 PM IST International Stadium
Friday, July 30 Quarter-final 1 1:30 PM IST Miyagi Stadium
Friday, July 30 Quarter-final 2 2:30 PM IST Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Friday, July 30 Quarter-final 3 3:30 PM IST Saitama Stadium
Friday, July 30 Quarter-final 4 4:30 PM IST International Stadium
Monday, August 2 Semi-final 1 1:30 PM IST Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Monday, August 2 Semi-final 2 4:30 PM IST International Stadium
Thursday, August 5 Bronze medal match 1 PM IST Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Friday, August 6 Gold medal match 7:30 AM IST Olympic Stadium

Where to watch Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football live in India?

The Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football will be telecast on the Sony Pictures Network India. Coverage will begin live at 1 PM IST on Sony’s TV channels in India. 

Live streaming of Tokyo Olympics 2020 Women's football will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.

Featured photo: AFP / Gustavo Andrade

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Mohamed Salah dropped as Egypt name 22-man squad for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

The Egypt national football team named their 22-man squad for Tokyo Olympics on Friday with star forward Mohamed Salah the biggest absentee.

Salah’s parent club Liverpool refused to let him participate in the tournament in Japan as the dates clashed with the Premier League team’s pre-season schedule.

The 29-year-old Salah was expected to be one of the three over-age players allowed to be included in Egypt’s squad for the under-23 tournament at Tokyo 2020. Mohamed El-Shennawy, former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazy and Mahmoud Hamdy filled the three slots for the over-age players.

Mohamed Salah, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, last represented Egypt at the Summer Olympics at London 2012. The former Chelsea and AS Roma attacker scored in every group stage fixture -- three goals in all -- before drawing blank in the knockouts where Egypt lost to Japan.

Another prominent name to miss out on Shawky Gharib’s Egypt football squad for the Tokyo Olympics is Mostafa Mohamed.

On loan at Galatasaray from Egyptian club Zamalek, the striker was blocked from national duty as the Turkish giants are set to participate in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The 23-year-old Mostafa, who has nine goals in 17 appearances, is expected to play a decisive role for Galatasaray.

The Pharaohs, who qualified for the Olympics’ football event after winning the under-23 AFCON championship in 2019, have been drawn with two-time champions Argentina, 1992 winners Spain and Australia in Group C.

The football tournament at Tokyo 2020 is set to begin from July 21 till August 7.

Egypt football squad for Tokyo Olympics

Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy, Mohamed Sobhi, Mahmoud Gad

Defenders: Ahmed Aboul Fotouh, Karim Fouad, Ahmed Hegazy, Mahmoud Hamdy, Mohamed Abdel Salam, Ahmed Ramadan, Osama Jalal, Karim Al Iraqi

Midfielders: Akram Tawfik, Ammar Hamdi, Imam Ashour, Nasser Maher, Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel, Abdel Rahman Magdy, Taher Mohamed 

Forwards: Ahmed Yasser Rayan, Salah Mohsen, Nasser Mansi

Featured photo: Twitter / African Cup of Nations

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Tokyo Olympics set to feature football squads of 22 players after FIFA rule change

The governing body of football, FIFA has announced a change to the team roster rule for the soccer event at Tokyo 2020 Olympics, allowing teams to list 22 players.

FIFA has brought this change in light of the challenges teams faced due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

While FIFA has confirmed that rosters can include 22 players, only 18 can be available for individual matches. Of these 18 players, seven players will be substitutes.

Previously, team rosters for Olympic events would include four players on standby in case of any injury, illness and so on. Once a player is replaced, there is no room for a possible return.

Furthermore, coaches will now have more flexibility to operate during the Olympic schedule as their players would have limited rest time between matches and have to sustain themselves with the searing weather in Japan.

One of the prominent advocates for the Olympic Games roster expansion was Sarina Wiegman, the Netherlands women’s football team manager who will take over as England coach after the Tokyo Olympics. Her efforts paid off as FIFA acknowledged the proposal to expand the roster limit from 18 to 22.

The International Olympic Council has not yet formally announced the change, but an unnamed source confirmed to The Associated Press that the IOC would implement the change.

On Wednesday, US women’s football team coach Vlatko Andonovski said he is awaiting additional guidance from the IOC.

“We’re getting word from the IOC that we will have a little flexibility on the roster. We’re very happy about it, and as of right now, we’re just waiting to see a little more details on what all the rules and regulations are going to look like,” Andonovski said.

“Obviously, we thought about it (possibility of roster expansion), we were preparing in some ways for it if it happened, so we’re hoping to be ready if the changes are in place,” he added.

The last day for participating teams to finalize their rosters for Tokyo 2020 Olympics was Wednesday, June 30.

Tokyo 2020 starts on July 23 but the football tournament kicks off on July 21 with the women’s group matches.

Feature photo: AFP / Evaristo Sa

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Real Madrid’s Asensio and Dani Ceballos named in Spain’s Tokyo Olympics squad

As many as six players playing at UEFA Euro 2020 were named in Spain’s squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan. The list includes goalkeeper Unai Simons, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedri.

While none of Real Madrid’s players made it to the Euros, the likes of Marco Asensio, Jesus Vallejo and Dani Ceballos will represent their country in the Tokyo Games. Meanwhile, Sergio Ramos, who had previously expressed his desire to play in the Olympics, has been left out.

Men’s football in the Olympic Games, which allows just three players above the age of 23 in their squad, begins on July 22 meaning that if Spain does make it to the Euro 2020 final, the six aforementioned players won’t have much of a break between the two tournaments. 

There is only an 11-day gap between the Euro 2020 final and Spain’s opening game in the Olympics. The team will play their opener against a Mohamed Salah-less Egypt on July 22.

Furthermore, since the schedule for football at Tokyo 2020 finishes on August 7, players involved in the Olympic Games will need to rush back for club duties with La Liga beginning from August 14. 

Meanwhile, La Roja recently played an eight-goal thriller in their UEFA Euro round of 16 tie against Croatia, winning the game 5-3. They next face Switzerland in the quarter-final on Friday in St Petersburg.

Spain football team squad for Tokyo Olympics

Goalkeepers: Alvaro Fernandez, Unai Simon, Alex Dominguez

Defenders: Oscar Mingueza, Jesus Vallejo, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Oscar Gil, Juan Miranda

Midfielders: Marc Cucurella, Jon Moncayola, Martin Zubimendi, Dani Ceballos, Mikel Merino, Carlos Soler, Pedri

Forwards: Bryan Gil, Marco Asensio, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Rafa Mir, Javi Puado

Featured photo: AFP / Lluis Gene

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Former West Indies cricketer Winston Benjamin's son qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

Former West Indies fast bowler Winston Benjamin’s son Rai Benjamin has qualified for the Olympic Games scheduled to start next month in Tokyo, Japan.

Rai Benjamin is a hurdler who represents the American team. He created a stir after he was just 0.05 seconds shy of setting a new world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the United States Olympic track and field trials held at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Saturday.

While Rai Benjamin managed to secure his place in the USA's Olympic team by winning the final of the 400m hurdles in 46.83 seconds, the 23-year-old was just a whisker away from breaking his compatriot Kevin Young’s world record timing of 46.78, set at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. 

“It hurts a little bit to know that it was right there and I couldn't grab it. But it's just more fuel for the fire, man. It'll come when it comes,” the young sprinter was quoted as saying to Team USA official website after the race.

In his short career so far, Rai Benjamin has already shown glimpses of his potential after he won a silver medal at his first World Championships in 2019 in Doha in the men's 400m hurdles. He later bagged a gold medal in the 4×400m relay at the same competition.

Rai Benjamin has represented Antigua and Barbuda in international events. He has been turning up for the USA since 2019. Like his father, Rai grew up with cricket and wanted to become a batsman before he steered towards track and field events.

Rai Benjamin’s father Winston Benjamin terrorised batsmen in the 80s and 90s.

Born in Antigua, Winston Benjamin featured in 21 Tests for the West Indies cricket team from 1987 to 1995 where he picked up 61 wickets. He also played 85 ODIs to scalp 100 wickets.

 

"I never know why he chose track and not cricket. All I knew I would back him whatever he chose," the 56-year-old Winston Benjamin, now a coach, said about his son in an interview to Times of India. 

"I am proud and happy that he is going to the Olympics. He has had good support from his mother. He had to battle hard to reach here. He is dedicated to the cause. Athletics is his chosen field and we tried to support him to the best of our ability," the former pacer added.

The Tokyo Olympics starts on July 23 and runs till August 8. Athletics will, however, begin on July 30 with the 400m finals scheduled on August 3 at the Olympic Stadium.

Featured photo: Twitter/USC Track & Field

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Liverpool deny Mohamed Salah permission to play for Egypt at Tokyo Olympics

Egypt national football team forward Mohamed Salah is set to miss the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after his Premier League club Liverpool FC refused to release him.

“I do not want to say that it is impossible for Salah to participate in the Olympics, but it is difficult. Salah agreed to lead the Olympic team during the last camp of the Egyptian team. We contacted Liverpool to allow Salah to join the Olympic team, and they said they were waiting for the approval of the technical staff,” Egyptian FA president Ahmed Megahed said in an interview with broadcaster ON Time sports.

“But, in the end, Liverpool refused the request because they do not want to lose the player at the beginning of the season, as well as next January with the Africa Cup of Nations, which will keep him from participating in the English Premier League matches.

“We spoke with Salah again, and he told us that he will make a new attempt with the technical staff of his team, to resolve the matter, and within the next two days he will find a way,” Megahed added.

The former Chelsea and Roma attacker was hoping to be selected as one of the three over-age players in Egypt’s under-23 football squad for the Tokyo Games.

However, the Summer Olympics is scheduled to start on July 22 and run until August 7, which means that it will clash with Liverpool’s pre-season preparations. Furthermore, Salah is already set to miss a part of the 2021-22 season for the Reds due to the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Two other Liverpool players Takumi Minamino and Ibrahima Konate are also unlikely to participate at Tokyo Olympics. While 26-year-old Minamino has not been selected in Japan's football squad for the Games, France international Konate has been denied permission by Liverpool to participate at the Summer Olympics.

Liverpool will kick-off their 2021-22 Premier League campaign against newly-promoted Norwich City on August 14.

Featured photo: CARL RECINE / POOL / AFP

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No Neymar in Brazil's Tokyo Olympics squad, Dani Alves selected

Star forward Neymar was left out but veteran defender Dani Alves made the cut as defending champions Brazil announced an 18-man squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Neymar had previously mentioned that he is willing to play at Tokyo 2020 but also admitted that the decision stands with his club, Paris-Saint Germain. 

Clubs usually oppose the idea of letting their players participate in the Olympic Games. In 2016, however, Neymar’s former club, FC Barcelona, had granted him permission to play at the Rio Olympics. The star striker went on to lead his nation to their first Olympic gold in football.

A place in the Olympics squad this year would have been added burden on the Brazilian given that he is already representing his team at the ongoing Copa America, which runs until July 11.

Brazil’s journey in the Tokyo Games starts on July 22 and might go on until August 7 if they make it to the final. All this means the forward will have very little recovery time before joining his club for the pre-season commitments.

"Neymar is our reference point .. a great leader of the national team and we would like to be able to count on him. But we couldn't," admitted Brazilian football federation coordinator Branco as the squad was named.

As for 38-year-old Dani Alves, he missed Copa America due to a knee injury, but coach Andre Jardine is hopeful that the defender will make a timely recovery.

Neymar is enjoying a great run of form in Copa America. The 29-year-old scored in Brazil’s tournament opener against Venezuela and followed it up with another goal against Peru.

Brazil football team for Tokyo Olympics

Goalkeepers: Santos, Brenno

Defenders: Dani Alves, Gabriel Menino, Guilherme Arana, Gabriel Magalhaes, Nino, Diego Carlos

Midfielders: Douglas Luiz, Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Claudinho, Matheus Henrique

Forwards: Matheus Cunha, Malcom, Antony, Paulinho, Pedro

Featured photo: AFP / Marco Pimentel

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Brazil wants Neymar for Tokyo Olympics despite tight schedule

Brazil’s U-20 national football team coach, Andre Jardine has expressed his desire to add star forward Neymar to the team that will participate in the Tokyo Games this year, but understands that this will be a difficult proposition to put forward to.

“Given we want to take the strongest possible squad, Neymar is our main player," Jardine said in an interview published on the Globo Esporte website.

Neymar was at the forefront of Brazil’s national football team which won its first Olympic gold medal in 2016. Apart from the forward, his Paris Saint-Germain teammates Marquinhos and Rafinha were a part of the team as well.

This time around though, the decision to release Neymar for the Olympics solely stays with PSG as they are under no obligation to let the player leave to play a competition not organized by football's main governing bodies, such as FIFA.

Furthermore, his chances to play in the Olympics are anyway slim, given that he will play in the Copa America in Argentina and Colombia from June 13 to July 11. Football in Tokyo Olympics will commence just 10 days later and will run until August 8, which is in fact two days after the start of the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season.

Back in January 2020, while speaking to the journalists, Neymar had expressed his desire to play in the Olympics but admitted that this decision lies with PSG. "I am in form," Neymar said on the topic to journalists in the mixed zone. "I am willing to play at both the Copa America and the Olympics. However, I think it is a bit complicated -- ask PSG."

Meanwhile, Brazil have been drawn in Group D for the Olympic football tournament alongside Germany, whom they defeated in the gold medal match in 2016, Ivory Coast and Saudi Arabia. Each football team is allowed to have an 18-player contingent and only three of them can be over 23 years of age.

Featured photo: AFP / Daniel Apuy

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Tokyo Olympics football draw sets up tantalizing group stage clashes

The 28 teams that secured qualification in football for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics discovered their group stage opponents on Wednesday after the official draw was conducted at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

A total of 16 men's teams and 12 women's teams were drawn into seven groups. The men’s competition saw footballing heavyweights Spain and Argentina find themselves in Group C, while Brazil and Germany will face each other in group D.

The opening game of the men's competition will see Group A in action as Mexico take on France on 22 July at the Tokyo Stadium and hosts Japan will face South Africa later that day.

Group G in the women’s competition also has plenty of mouth-watering clashes to look forward to. It features Trans-Tasmanic rivals Australia and New Zealand as well as the USWNT that will take on Sweden with the intent of avenging their loss to the Scandinavian country on penalties from the 2016 Games.

Hosts Japan will kickstart the women’s competition against Canada in a match from Group E, which also features Great Britain and Chile. Both men and women will play the group stages followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, the bronze medal match and the final.

While the men’s teams are usually restricted to picking players below the age of 23 with only three overage players permitted, the age bracket was raised for the Tokyo Games after the one-year postponement of the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Football first featured in the Olympics in 1900 and has been a part of the Games since in all but one edition in 1932. Hungary and Great Britain are the most successful footballing countries in the competition having won three golds each, while Brazil is the defending Olympics champions for the first time in their history after Neymar inspired them to gold in 2016.

The history of the women’s competition at the Games is slightly different and it’s the USWNT (United States Women's National Team) that have been the dominant force having won four of the six gold medals available since 1996 when the first women’s tournament was held.

Tokyo Olympics football draw results

Men's Olympic Football Tournament

Group A: Japan, South Africa, Mexico, France

Group B: New Zealand, Korea Republic, Honduras, Romania

Group C: Egypt, Spain, Argentina, Australia

Group D: Brazil, Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, Saudi Arabia

Women's Olympic Football Tournament

Group E: Japan, Canada, Great Britain, Chile

Group F: China, Brazil, Zambia, Netherlands

Group G: Sweden, USA, Australia, New Zealand

Featured Image: Charly Triballeau

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