The women’s football tournament is set to be one of the most anticipated events of the 2024 Olympics Here are the favourite teams
With the presence of the best teams and players from around the world, these women’s football Olympics in Paris promise exciting matches and historic moments. And probably the biggest TV audience ever. If Canada’s gold medal win in 2021 was witnessed by more than 50 million viewers worldwide, streaming and live television can bring an incredible record in terms of popularity and digital attendance.
Let’s take a look to top teams and players, examining their chances as favorites for this gold medal rush.
Women’s Football Olympics 2024 team favourites
United States
The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) enters the tournament as one of the favorites. Historically dominant in women’s football, the USWNT has a rich Olympic pedigree, with four gold medals to their name and as. Brazil is the only team that attended every single Olympic tournament. Their deep talent pool, experience, and winning mentality make them a formidable opponent. But… USA are living a mixed emotion waiting with a new coach – former Chelsea’s trainer Emma Hayes – and some tension after another scandal involving the former CT Jill Ellis. USA is waiting for its fifth gold since 2012 and Tokyo delivered one of the most harsh defeat ever in Semifinal (Canada) and Bronze Match (Sweden).
Moreover won’t be part of the team. Discussion and discrepancies are running with this Emma Hayes’s technical decision.
Key Players
Megan Rapinoe
Known for her clutch performances and charismatic presence, Rapinoe’s experience in high-stakes matches is invaluable.
Crystal Dunn
A versatile player, Dunn can impact the game from both defensive and attacking positions, making her a key asset.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The USWNT’s primary strength lies in its depth and versatility. With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging stars, they can adapt to various playing styles and strategies. However, their recent performances have shown some defensive vulnerabilities, which opponents may exploit.
Spain Women’s National Football Team
Spain’s women’s football team has been on a remarkable journey, establishing itself as one of the top contenders in the global arena. With a blend of technical skill, tactical acumen, and a youthful exuberance, Spain is the fresh reigning world champions and must be considered a top contender for the gold medal.
The Spanish women’s football team has seen a meteoric rise over the past decade. Known for their “tiki-taka” style of play, which emphasizes short passing and movement, maintaining possession, and working the ball through various channels, Spain’s approach is both aesthetically pleasing and highly effective.
Key Players
Alexia Putellas
Alexia Putellas, the former Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, is the centerpiece of the Spanish team. Her vision, passing ability, and leadership on the field make her an indispensable asset. She’s nice and lethal and seems to be completely recovered after a very bad knee injury.
Aitana Bonmatí
Aitana Bonmatí is the new Ballon d’Or and together with Alexia the Barcelona perfect testimonial. As a dynamic and offensive midfielder, Bonmatí combines technical skill with relentless energy. Her ability to drive forward, create scoring opportunities, and contribute defensively makes her a key player for Spain.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Spain’s ability to maintain possession and control the tempo of the game is one of their greatest strengths. A marvelous technical skills, including precise passing, dribbling, and ball control with infinite opportunity to play and score. If While Spain has shown great promise, they have sometimes struggled to maintain consistency. Ensuring steady performances throughout the Olympic campaign at the end of an exhausting season will be crucial.
Germany women
Germany, another powerhouse in women’s football, boasts a strong Olympic history, including a gold medal win in 2016. Known for their tactical discipline and physicality, Germany is always a contender in major tournaments. Dabitz won’t play and Horst Hrubesch, that seemed to be a momentary choice, became the ‘strong man’ inside a very strong team. Actually Germany is just an outsider. But… the winning DNA of this team is always an answer toward the toughest challenges.
Key Players
Alexandra Popp
A commanding presence up front, Popp’s ability to score and create opportunities makes her indispensable.
Dzsenifer Marozsán
An exceptional playmaker, Marozsán’s vision and technical skills drive Germany’s midfield.
Lena Oberdorf
A young talent, Oberdorf’s defensive acumen and versatility allow her to control the tempo of the game.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Germany’s organized defense and strategic approach are their main strengths. Their ability to execute game plans efficiently often overwhelms opponents. However, injuries to key players have sometimes disrupted their cohesion and effectiveness.
Australia
Australia, led by a generation of talented players, has the potential to upset traditional powerhouses. Their energetic and aggressive style makes them a tough opponent. But Samantha Kerr won’t be available and this is a major problem for a team that invested all its chances on its best player.
Key Players
Ellie Carpenter
The dynamic defender provides both defensive solidity and attacking support.
Caitlin Foord
Versatile and skilled, Foord can influence the game from multiple positions.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Australia’s main strength is their forward line, capable of high pressing and quick transitions. However, their defense has shown vulnerabilities, especially against top-tier teams.
Brazil women’s soccer
Brazil, known for their flair and technical skill, always brings a unique style to the tournament. They’ve always been on the Olympic Rush – as USA. But they’ve never won. And Seleçao fans consider any Olympic tournament a sort of cursed gold. Especially after to silver medal very hard to be swallowed in 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijin). While they haven’t won an Olympic gold, they remain a formidable force.
Key Players
Marta
The legendary forward, often called the best female player ever, continues to inspire and deliver on the big stage. This will be the fourth Olympic Tournament for this amazing player and could be not her last international stage considering that Brazil will host World Cup in 2027.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Brazil’s attacking style and individual brilliance are their primary strengths. However, their lack of defensive organization has often been their Achilles’ heel.
Canada women’s soccer teams
The reigning Olympic champions, Canada, will be looking to defend their title. Known for their resilience and teamwork, they can never be underestimated. Christine Sinclair left and Canada must show its resilience without her everlasting best offensive player ever. An all-time leading goal scorer in international football that will be missed.
Key Players
Jessie Fleming
The young midfielder has become a key player, known for her composure and technical skills.
Kadeisha Buchanan
A formidable defender, Buchanan’s strength and tackling ability are crucial for Canada’s defense.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Canada’s teamwork and defensive solidity are their main strengths. However, they sometimes struggle to find consistent scoring from sources other than Sinclair.
France Women
France, renowned for its rich football heritage, is gearing up for the next Olympic tournament with high hopes and expectations. Playing at home the team must be considered a true favorite for the Olympic gold rush.
The French women’s football team has been steadily climbing the ranks of international football over the past decade. Known for their elegant style of play and tactical sophistication, the team combines technical skill with physical endurance. Their journey to the Olympics is marked by a series of impressive performances in major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Euro qualifiers
Key Players
Wendie Renard
As the captain and defensive stalwart, Wendie Renard is a towering presence in the backline. Known for her aerial prowess and leadership qualities, Renard’s ability to organize the defense and score crucial goals makes her indispensable to the team. Her experience and calm demeanor under pressure will be crucial in navigating the high-stakes environment of the Olympics.
Kadidiatou Diani
Kadidiatou Diani is one of the most dynamic wingers in women’s football. Her speed, dribbling ability, and crossing precision make her a nightmare for defenders. Diani’s ability to create scoring opportunities and her relentless work rate on the flanks provide France with a vital attacking outlet.
Strengths and Weaknesses
France is reknown for its beautiful but physical possession-based style of play. Their technical skills and tactical awareness allow them to dominate possession and dictate the pace of the game. But espite their talent, the French team has sometimes struggled under the weight of expectations in major tournaments. Handling the mental pressure of the Olympics will be crucial for their success.
Going for the gold
The women’s football tournament at Paris 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and exciting in Olympic history. With multiple teams capable of claiming the gold medal, the tournament will be a showcase of the best talents and tactical minds in the sport.
The United States, with their rich history and depth of talent, remain the favorites, but they will face stiff competition from the likes of Spain – the reigning world champion – and dark horses like Australia, France and Brazil could spring surprises.
