After more than one year of waiting, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will kick off with its team sports events. With the women's games having took place earlier today, it's time to take a look at the games being played in the men's category.
Sixteen teams will start playing on Wednesday with nothing but gold on their minds. Nevertheless, only eight of those teams will make it to the next round. Two teams from each group will make it to the Quarter-finals, and that's where we will separate men from the boys.
These are the groups for the Olympic Football tournament in the Men's category.
Now, let's have a deeper look at the games in chronological order. Please keep in mind that all of these teams are Under-23 teams, with as much as three over age players that were added as reinforcements.
Egypt vs Spain
The Egyptian team returns to the football tournament after missing out on the 2016 edition. Their best finish in an Olympic competition took place in London 2012, where they reached the Quarter-finals. On the other hand, the Spanish side will have to live up to the hype created around them, as La Rojita has been considered as a massive candidate to win the title with players such as Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio, Unai Simón and Pedri. The Spaniards have won the gold in 1992 and ended as runners-up in the 2000 Olympics, but their record since then only shows one appearance in the Olympic tournament, which ended abruptly after just three games.
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Mexico vs France
Two of the most talented teams in Group A lock horns with everything to play for. The Mexicans won the gold in the 2012 edition, but failed to make it past the group stage four years later. Now, a squad led by legendary goalkeeper Memo Ochoa and by Real Betis' Diego Lainez will face a French team with loads of talent. Some of the players included in Les Bleus' squad are 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Florian Thauvin, striker André-Pierre Gignac, and midfielder Lucas Tousart. See why this is a must-watch game?
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New Zealand vs Korea Republic
The Olywhites are considered as the major underdogs in this competition, and having to begin the tournament against the enigmatic but talented Korean side will not do them any favors. Led by veterans Winston Reid and Chris Wood, the New Zealanders will try to leave a lasting impression when they tke the pitch. Nevertheless, that might not be enough to beat the Korean team, who will have players such as Valencia's Lee Kang-In and Hwang Ui-jo at their disposal for this tournament.
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Cote D'Ivoire vs Saudi Arabia
The African team returns to an Olympic football tournament after a 13-year hiatus, and they will make their debut in Japan by facing Saudi Arabia, a team that may have talented players, but their lack of international experience may backfire against them. Cote D'Ivoire have to be named favorites to win this game thanks to the presence of players sucg as Eric Bailly, Franck Kessie, and Max Gradel, one of the oldest footballers in the tournament that will surely bring his experience to the greater good of the Ivory Coast team.
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Argentina vs Australia
Two-time gold medal winners Argentina return to the tournament with high hopes. The South American side has not been a real contender since their last gold medal in 2008, missing out on the 2012 edition and leaving the 2016 Olympic tournament after three games. Now, with no over age players, La Albiceleste will want to make it to the next round led by players such as Esequiel Barco and Atlético defender and captain Nehuén Pérez. On the other hand, the Aussies return to the Olympics after watching the last two on their TV sets. The yellow and green have never made it to the semis, and getting past the group stage should be their main goal for this event.
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Japan vs South Africa
The hosts kick off the tournament against the least-talented team in their group, but that does not mean it will be an easy clash for them. The South African side, known as the Amaglug-glug, may still have some tricks up their sleeve to shock the Japanese team that will be led by their over aged players: Wataru Endo, Maya Yoshida, and Hiroki Sakai.
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Honduras vs Romania
Two teams that will only have one over age player will lock horns trying to make the most of this game and considering their opposition in Group B. A win here could propel their chances of making the next round, mainly because this could be considered as their hardest game in the group stage. Honduras get to this competition after eliminating the USMNT in the CONCACAF Qualifiers, while Romania made it to the 2019 UEFA Euro-21 semis to book their spot. Hence, both teams have what it takes to earn their first three points.
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Brazil vs Germany
Perhaps the most interesting game of the first matchday, these teams played for the gold in the 2016 Olympics, and Brazil claimed the top spot thanks to Neymar, who was not allowed to attend the competition. Instead, Brazil will present a talented squad led by familiar faces such as Dani Alves, Reinier, Richarlison, Malcom, and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli. On the other side of the pitch, Germany will enter the tournament with a generation of players that includes RB Leipzig's Benjamin Henrichs and Marco Richter, who will be backed up by over age players Max Kruse, Nadien Arimi, and Maximilian Arnold. Will this be the best game of the group stage? Don't miss it and find out!
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