SAINTDENIS: Four-time winners USA, Germany and Australia are drawn in the same group, while hosts France face Canada after Wednesday’s draw for the 2024 Olympic women’s soccer tournament.
Groups B and C look particularly challenging, while France and Canada can hope to secure their place in the knockout rounds from Group A.
The United States will face Germany, Australia and the winner of one of the two African zone qualifiers in Group B.
“It’s a tough group, but they’re all tough groups,” USA interim coach Twila Kilgore said.
“Our team thrives on that.
Group C consists of World Cup and Nations League winners Spain, Brazil, Japan and other CAF qualifiers.
It is Spain’s first ever appearance at the women’s tournament and despite being drawn alongside 2016 defending champions Germany, Montserrat Tome’s charges remain favourites.
Spain has been unstoppable in recent years, led by Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.
The United States last won their Olympic title in 2012 and after a disappointing 2023 World Cup where they were knocked out in the last 16 by Sweden, some may be writing them off from winning a fifth gold of the Games.
USA’s Kilgore says her team has bounced back from that disappointment: “We just won a great Gold Cup… we took some steps in a new direction.
“We’re excited to compete, as always, we’re taking it one game at a time and hopefully that will get us to a place where we compete until the end.”
They have the imminent arrival of star coach Emma Hayes from Chelsea, who will give them a boost before the games even start.
Also read: Hosts France get kind Olympic draw as Mbappe uncertainty lingers
Speaking about Hayes’ arrival, the interim coach said the group “were really excited” about the Englishwoman’s arrival.
France is trying to become only the second host country to win gold after the USA in 1996.
The hosts have been given a relatively easier draw compared to Groups B and C and will face Canada, Colombia and New Zealand in Group A.
The tournament could be the last chance for players like Wendie Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer or Amandine Henry to win a major international trophy with France.
The women’s tournament will begin on July 25, one day before the opening ceremony of the Games, and conclude with the final in Paris on August 10.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the final quarter-finals, along with the top two third-placed teams.
The final two participants will be decided by the fourth round of the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The matches will be played over two legs between April 1 and 9.
