Paris Olympics: what to know, how to watch soccer matches

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The world’s game will be among the handful of sports kicking off before the Paris cauldron is lit for Friday’s Olympic opening ceremony.

The 2024 Olympic soccer tournaments will be among the most followed events of the games and for the first time since 2008, Team USA is bringing two squads. The men are hoping to capture some momentum against great young teams while the women usher in a new era after a disappointing 2023 World Cup.

Matches for Olympic soccer will be played in seven different cities — Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nantes, Nice, and Saint-Etienne. Here is what you need to know about both soccer tournaments, which begin on Wednesday and Thursday.

PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 07: A general view of the Parc des Princes Stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on May 7, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE – MARCH 23: General view inside the stadium prior to the international friendly match between France and Germany at Groupama Stadium on March 23, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE – MAY 02: A general view inside the stadium is seen prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Semi-Final first leg match between Olympique de Marseille and Atalanta BC at Stade de Marseille on May 02, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
This photograph taken on April 14, 2024, shows a general view of the Matmut Atlantique stadium, designed by Swiss architects Pierre de Meuron and Jacques Herzog of international architectural agency ‘Herzog de Meuron’, home to the FC Girondins de Bordeaux L2 football team, and future Olympic venue for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Bordeaux, south-western France. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION – TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
This aerial view taken on November 24, 2021 shows La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes, western France. (Photo by Lou BENOIST / AFP) (Photo by LOU BENOIST/AFP via Getty Images)
NICE, FRANCE – FEBRUARY 16: A general view of the Stade de Nice during a stadium visit ahead of the France 2023 Rugby World Cup on February 16, 2023 in Nice, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 12: A view of Stade Geoffroy-Guichard during the Ligue 1 match between Saint Etienne v Strasbourg on September 12, 2020 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

U.S. men return after 16-year absence

The American men have waited a long time to return to the Olympics and they will hope to capitalize on this opportunity. The squad managed by Marko Mitrovic will be anchored by Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, whose meteoric rise from Crew 2 to Olympian will come to life on Wednesday in the team’s opener against France at 3 p.m.

The men’s tournament requires an 18-man squad of players 23-years-old or younger with three overage players allowed. Team USA has a heavy MLS presence with Walker Zimmerman, Miles Robinson, and future Chelsea signing Caleb Wiley anchoring the defense and Djordje Mihailovic and Duncan McGuire leading the frontline.

Others playing internationally are also featured from the Venezia teammates of Gianluca Busio and Tanner Tessmann along with Paxten Aaronson and Taylor Booth, who play in the Netherlands. The expectation for the U.S. will be to advance out of the group and for the young squad to make an impression for a chance at a 2026 World Cup roster spot.

Argentina, Spain, France enter as men’s favorites

Among the favorites on the men’s side are the hosts France, managed by legendary striker Thierry Henry. They are expected to win the USA’s group in front of Guinea and New Zealand as well. They are led by Bayern Munich forward Michael Olise and veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Group B is headlined by an Argentina squad that features multiple stars, including Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada. Ukraine, Morocco, and Iraq complete the group. Group C favorites Spain have a chance to bring more glory to the country after the senior team won the Euros.

Euros winner Fermin Lopez leads the Spanish squad along with Girona defender Eric Garcia. Uzbekistan, Egypt, and the Dominican Republic will battle for second. Group D is a group of life that anyone could win featuring Japan, Guinea, Paraguay, and Israel.

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 4: Patrick Schulte poses during a USMNT U23 portrait photo shoot on June 4, 2024 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Andrea Vilchez/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 8: Gianluca Busio, Tanner Tessmann and Walker Zimmerman of the United States talk on stage during a U.S. Soccer send off event with Men In Blazers at Webster Hall on July 8, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Andrea Vilchez/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
BORDEAUX, FRANCE – JULY 15: Caleb Wiley warms up during USMNT U23 training on July 15, 2024 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Andrea Vilchez/ISI/Getty Images)
France’s head coach Thierry Henry (R) speaks with France’s assistant coach Gerald Baticle prior to the U23 friendly football match between France and Dominican Republic at Mayol Stadium in Toulon, south-eastern France, on July 11, 2024, in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU / AFP) (Photo by CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
14 July 2024, Berlin: Soccer, UEFA Euro 2024, European Championship, Final, Spain – England, Olympiastadion Berlin, Spain’s Fermín López celebrates with the trophy after winning the final. Photo: Tom Weller/dpa (Photo by Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Argentina’s Thiago Almada (R) celebrates after scoring during the Venezuela 2024 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament football match between Argentina and Venezuela at the Brigido Iriarte stadium in Caracas on February 5, 2024. (Photo by Federico Parra / AFP) (Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images)
SAN-PEDRO, IVORY COAST – JANUARY 30: Achraf Hakimi of Morocco looks on during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match between Morocco and South Africa at Stade Laurent Pokou on January 30, 2024 in San-Pedro, Ivory Coast. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

U.S. women look for redemption in new era

The USWNT is currently in its longest Olympic gold medal drought in history, having not won since the London Games in 2012. In Paris, new manager Emma Hayes hopes to lead a roster with a mix of fresh faces and veteran winners through a redemption tour after the Round of 16 exit from the 2023 World Cup.

An attack spearheaded by Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson could create some energetic attacking play while Lindsey Horan and Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle look to anchor the midfield. The backline is settled and strong with veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and defenders like Naomi Girma and Emily Fox.

It’s a strong roster that is looking to prove itself but the world has caught up to America with a formidable 12-team field.

Can anyone beat World Cup winners Spain?

World Cup champions Spain headline a competitive Group C alongside Brazil, Japan, and Nigeria. After its triumph last summer, the Spanish players at Barcelona, like midfielders Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, just kept winning more trophies. The country has won nearly every major trophy it could muster, except for a women’s gold medal.

The Americans’ rivals in Group B are World Cup semifinalists Australia, 2016 Olympic gold medalists Germany, and an upstart Zambia. Germany is seeking redemption as well after its group stage exit from the World Cup and are led by star midfielder Lena Oberdorf and striker Alexandra Popp. The Matildas also boast a strong roster but are without striker Sam Kerr.

The hosts France headline Group A and feature maybe the strongest roster at the games. Players to watch include defender Wendie Renard, midfielder Grace Geyoro, and attackers Kadidiatou Diani and Marie-Antoinette Katoto. France’s group foes include defending gold medalists Canada, World Cup quarterfinalists Colombia, and New Zealand.

COMMERCE CITY, COLORADO – JUNE 01: Sophia Smith #11, Trinity Rodman #22, and Lindsey Horan #10 of the United States celebrate after playing the Korea Republic at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 01, 2024 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 15: Emma Hayes of the United States talks to the media before a USWNT training session at Audi Field on July 15, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
HARRISON, NJ – JULY 13: Emily Sonnett #14, Rose Lavelle #16 and Mallory Swanson #9 of the United States pose for a photo after a game between Mexico and USWNT at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 20: Esther Gonzalez of Spain holds up the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match between Spain and England at Stadium Australia on August 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Marie-Antoinette Katoto of France is celebrating with her teammates after scoring her team’s second goal during the UEFA Women’s European Championship Qualifiers League A, Group 3 match between England Women and France at St. James’s Park, in Newcastle, England, on May 31, 2024. (Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA – 2024/06/04: Canadian starting eleven pose for a photo prior to the International Friendly match between Canada and Mexico at BMO Field From left to right top row Kadeisha Buchanan #3, Evelyne Viens #24, Shelina Zadorsky #4, Simi Awujo #13, Jade Rose #12, Janine Beckie. Left to Right bottom row: Jayde Riviere #8, Ashley Lawrence #10, Sabrina D’Angelo #18, Cloe Lacasse #20, Jessie Fleming #17 The game ended 1-1. (Photo by Angel Marchini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 04: Matildas that will be three time Olympians (L-R) Clare Polkinghorne, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Ellie Carpenter, Emily Van Egmond, Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley and Tameka Yallop pose during the Australian 2024 Paris Olympic Games Women’s Football Squad Announcement at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on June 04, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
RECIFE, BRAZIL – JUNE 1: Marta Vieira of Brazil (C) celebrating her goal with her teammates during the Women’s International Friendly match between Brazil and Jamaica at Arena Pernambuco on June 1, 2024 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Chico Peixoto/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
GDYNIA, POLAND – JUNE 4: Players of Germany pose before the Women’s European Qualifier match between Poland and Germany at the City Stadium on June 4, 2024 in Gdynia, Poland. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)