The weight of expectation will be firmly on France Under-23s young shoulders for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - not just due to their status as tournament hosts, but also on account of the enormous talent at the disposal of head coach Thierry Henry.
However, Guinea Under-23s, the USA Under-23s and New Zealand Under-23s will all feel that one of the top two spots in Group A is theirs for the taking, as the quartet of hopefuls eye spots in the knockout stages, which commence at the start of August.
Here, Sports Mole provides an in-depth summary of Group A at the Paris 2024 Olympics, including fixtures, predictions and everything you need to know about the four teams.
OLYMPIC FOOTBALL 2024 GROUP A FIXTURES
July 24: Guinea vs. New Zealand (4pm | Allianz Riviera)
July 24: France vs. USA (8pm | Orange Velodrome)
July 27: New Zealand vs. USA (6pm | Orange Velodrome)
July 27: France vs. Guinea (8pm | Allianz Riviera)
July 30: New Zealand vs, France (6pm | Orange Velodrome)
July 30: USA vs. Guinea (6pm | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard)
All kickoff times BST
OLYMPIC FOOTBALL 2024 GROUP A TEAMS
FRANCE
© Reuters
Previous Olympics: 13
Best result: Gold medal (1984)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Group stage
Qualification: Hosts
Manager: Thierry Henry
FORM
Defenders: Maxime Esteve (Burnley), Bradley Locko (Brest), Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig), Kiliann Sildillia (Freiburg), Adrien Truffert (Stade Rennais), Soungoutou Magassa (Monaco)
Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche (Monaco), Joris Chotard (Montpellier), Desire Doue (Rennes), Manu Kone (Borussia Monchengladbach), Enzo Millot (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Arnaud Kalimuendo (Rennes), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Rayan Cherki (Lyon)
USA
© Reuters
Previous Olympics: 14
Best result: Silver medal (1904)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Did not compete
Qualification: 2022 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship winners
Manager: Marko Mitrovic
FORM
- W
- D
- L
- W
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Patrick Schulte (Columbus Crew), Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea)
Defenders: Maximilian Dietz (Greuther Furth), Nathan Harriel (Philadelphia Union), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), John Tolkin (New York Red Bulls), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United FC), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
Midfielders: Gianluca Busio (Venezia), Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami CF), Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union), Djordje Mihailovic (Colorado Rapids), Tanner Tessmann (Venezia)
Forwards: Paxten Aaronson (FC Utrecht), Taylor Booth (FC Utrecht), Duncan McGuire (Orlando City SC), Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg), Griffin Yow (KVC Westerlo)
GUINEA
© Reuters
Previous Olympics: One
Best result: Group stage (1968)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Did not compete
Qualification: AFC–CAF play-off winner
Manager: Morlaye Cisse
FORM
- L
- W
- W
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Soumaila Sylla (Reims), Mory Keita (Sangaredi)
Defenders: Madiou Keita (Auxerre), Mohamed Soumah (Gent), Naby Oulare (Boluspor), Bangaly Cisse (Kaloum), Rayane Doucoure (Red Star)
Midfielders: Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), Abdoulaye Toure (Le Havre), Amadou Diawara (Anderlecht), Aguibou Camara (Atromitos), Issiaga Camara (Nice)
Attackers: Ousmane Camara (Annecy), Algassime Bah (Olympiacos), Amadou Diallo (Rennes), Aliou Balde (Nice), Henry Camara (Atalanta BC)
NEW ZEALAND
© Reuters
Previous Olympics: Three
Best result: Quarter-finals (Tokyo 2020)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Quarter-finals
Qualification: 2023 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament winners
Manager: Darren Bazeley
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alex Paulsen (Bournemouth), Kees Sims (GAIS)
Defenders: Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix), Tyler Bindon (Reading), Finn Surman (Wellington Phoenix), Lukas Kelly-Heald (Wellington Phoenix), Matthew Sheridan (Wellington Phoenix)
Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking), Matthew Garbett (NAC Breda), Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix), Sarpreet Singh (free agent), Fin Conchie (Wellington Phoenix)
Attackers: Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Jay Herdman (Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2), Riley Bidois (Loudoun United), Oskar van Hattum (Wellington Phoenix)
FORM
- L
OLYMPIC FOOTBALL 2024 GROUP A PREDICTION
Ignoring their shoddy showing at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, France undoubtedly kick off Group A as the overwhelming favourites to top the section and cruise into the knockout stages, a label that Henry's side ought to live up to later this month.
The USA possess enough MLS and European-based talent to give France a good run for their money, but the Yanks will likely be condemned to a second-placed finish, still good enough for a spot in the quarter-finals but with the likelihood of a more difficult draw.
Such placements will leave Guinea and New Zealand to battle for pride and a third-placed finish, and while there is no discounting the latter's terrific goalscoring form of late, the African outfit - headlined by Naby Keita and Ilaix Moriba - should avoid finishing last in just their second appearance in the Olympic men's football tournament.
Ben Knapton
