Hosts France get kind Olympic draw
SAINT-DENIS, France: Thierry Henry’s France side are firm favorites to progress following a kind group draw for men’s football at the 2024 Olympic Games on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), as the hosts wait to see if Kylian Mbappe will be made available.
“Nothing is easy,” said Henry after the draw, but his side, already among the favorites for the gold medal on home turf, avoided potential pitfalls in not drawing Morocco and Egypt.
Les Bleus are in Group A of the 16-team tournament with New Zealand, USA and the winners of the AFC-CAF play-off, as they seek to win a second Olympic gold after success in 1984.
“It’s never easy to win a home tournament, I think Brazil and Spain did it (in 2016 and 1992, respectively) but it doesn’t happen often,” said Henry.
“We will try to make it happen, but it’ll be a long journey.”
It is understood that Paris SaintGermain superstar Mbappe is also very keen to represent his country at the Olympics, but he would likely have little time to rest after Euro 2024.
Football’s world governing body FIFA does not oblige clubs to release players for the Olympics, which could complicate Mbappe’s situation even more.
The World Cup winner’s chances of featuring in the hosts’ squad as one of their three over-23 players seem all but extinct, however fellow 2018 world champion Antoine Griezmann may still feature despite his recent ankle injury.
But, with under-23 talents like Eduardo Camavinga, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire-Emery also potentially at his disposal, Henry can well expect to top the group regardless.
Such an outcome could well be key in order to avoid Argentina, who were drawn in Group B alongside Morocco, Ukraine and the third qualifier from Asia.
Argentina denied Brazil the chance of winning a third straight men’s Olympic football title after defeating them 1-0 last month to knock them out of qualifying for the Paris Games.
Coach Javier Mascherano has a trump card he may now play as Argentina seek a third gold for themselves after victories in 2004 and 2008.
Global superstar Lionel Messi, 36, won gold in 2008 and, after winning the World Cup in 2022, he may feature for Argentina in a bid to win a last international tournament.
“Everyone knows my relationship with Leo ... and the doors are open for him to join us ... It’s up to him,” Mascherano, a long-time former international teammate of Messi, said in February.
Spain, the silver medalists in Tokyo, will feature in Group C against Egypt, Dominican Republic and the second qualifier from the AFC.
Group D will include Paraguay, Israel, Mali and the first qualifier from the AFC.
Men’s football at the 2024 Olympics is primarily restricted to players born after Jan. 1, 2001, but each side is allowed to select three players over the age of 23 for their squad.