After three years of waiting following the rescheduled 2020 Olympic Games (which took place in 2021 due to the outbreak of COVID-19), the eighth installment of the Women's Soccer Tournament will get underway on Thursday, July 15th.
All 12 teams will be in action on matchday one and there are some especially intriguing clashes coming up on the horizon for fans and neutrals alike.
The action will start at 11 am EST (8 am PST) with a double-header. Canada, who found themselves mired in controversy after several members of their coaching staff were sent packing after attempting to use a drone to spy on upcoming opponents New Zealand, will now look to put that firmly behind them as they aim to kick off their title defense on a good note.
Meanwhile, New Zealand had their own drama heading into this competition when head coach Jitka Klimková decided to depart just weeks before the team's participation in their fifth Olympic Games, with Michael Mayne taking over on an interim basis. In addition, the Football Ferns, who won just one of their five friendlies prior to this competition, had to make a last-minute personnel change after veteran defender Ali Riley had to pull out due to an ongoing injury.
Part two of the 11 am EST double-header will feature Spain, who are making their Olympic Games debut this summer. La Roja come into this tournament as the reigning World Cup champions and will be facing Japan on matchday one. Given that these two sides are ranked first and seventh respectively, it is sure to be a great game to entertain both fans and neutrals alike. Japan, as many may remember, were the only team to beat Spain at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and are no strangers to performing well in major international tournaments.
At 1 pm EST (10 am PST), attention will shift to another double header, with Germany, who crashed out in the group stage at last year's Women's World Cup, hoping to make some major amends as they lock horns with an Australia side who enjoyed their best ever finish at a World Cup. The second double header will see West African powerhouse Nigeria lock horns with South American giants Brazil, with Brazil being yet another big side aiming to prove doubters wrong after failing to make the grade at last summer's World Cup.
Hosts France, who will be playing at 3 pm EST, will hope to use their home pitch advantage to the maximum when they face a Colombia side that really impressed at the World Cup last year and will aim to make a similar huge splash in what will be their third appearance at an Olympic Games.
Last but not least, the USWNT will aim for redemption as they take on Zambia in the second double header taking place at 3 pm EST. Currently under the guidance of former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, the Stars and Stripes come into this tournament ranked fifth as per FIFA, which is their lowest ever position in history. Some American-based publications, however, were more generous and placed them at second in terms of potential, only behind current World Cup holders Spain, but it will be very interesting to see if the USWNT will be able to shut down their critics with a strong showing against their upcoming African opponents.
Here is the full schedule of fixtures taking place on matchday one in the 2024 Olympic Games Women's Soccer Tournament:
[SCHEDULES competition 104 2024-07-25 2024-07-27]