The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics features an exciting soccer tournament from July 24 to August 10, including both men's and women's competitions.
The draw for the matches, held in Paris on March 20, 2024, set the stage for thrilling football action over the next two and a half weeks.
Soccer has been a staple of the Olympics since its debut at the 1900 Paris Games, with the exception of 1932 in Los Angeles. The 2024 tournament promises to uphold this rich tradition with high-stakes matches.
In the men's tournament, teams from around the globe have qualified, each bringing their own style and flair to the competition.
The FIFA rankings highlight some top contenders, with Argentina, the world's No.1-ranked team, being a standout. Other qualified teams include Spain and France, who will also be aiming for Olympic glory.
MORE: The full Argentina squad for Paris 2024, featuring Julian Alvarez
Which teams are in men's Olympics soccer tournament? Qualified nations and FIFA ranking
Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup propelled them to the top of FIFA's rankings, and their 2024 Copa America triumph cemented their place at the summit for the most recent update in July.
Among the teams competing in the 2024 Summer Olympics soccer tournament, only Spain and France, besides Argentina, rank within FIFA's top 10.
There are 16 teams in total, initially split into four groups of four.
Teams in men's Olympics soccer tournament and FIFA ranking
| Team | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 1 |
| France (Host) | 2 |
| Spain | 3 |
| Morocco | 14 |
| USA | 16 |
| Japan | 18 |
| Ukraine | 25 |
| Egypt | 36 |
| Mali | 53 |
| Iraq | 55 |
| Uzbekistan | 61 |
| Paraguay | 62 |
| Guinea | 77 |
| Israel | 78 |
| New Zealand | 94 |
| Dominican Republic | 150 |
How often has the top-ranked team won gold in men's Olympic soccer?
The FIFA rankings, which have been a benchmark for team performance since their introduction in 1992, play a crucial role in setting expectations for tournaments such as the Olympics. However, history shows that being ranked highest does not always lead to success.
In previous tournaments, top FIFA-ranked teams have often entered as favourites, but the Olympic stage has delivered surprises. For instance, Euro 2024 winners Spain, despite being a football powerhouse and often highly ranked, have won gold in the men's event only once. Similarly, Brazil, despite their top rankings, faced challenges before finally getting to the top of the podium at the previous two Games.
| Tournament | World's Top-Ranked Team Before Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona 1992 | Germany | Spain |
| Atlanta 1996 | Brazil | Nigeria |
| Sydney 2000 | Brazil | Cameroon |
| Athens 2004 | Brazil | Argentina |
| Beijing 2008 | Argentina | Argentina |
| London 2012 | Spain | Mexico |
| Rio 2016 | Argentina | Brazil |
| Tokyo 2020 | Belgium | Brazil |
How are FIFA rankings calculated?
FIFA rankings, established in 1992, determine team standings using a points-based system.
In August 2018, FIFA updated this method. Now, points are added or subtracted from a team's total based on match results rather than averaging points over time. The quality of the opponent plays a significant role. Defeating a top-10-ranked team yields more points than beating a team outside the top 20. Expected outcomes also affect the points gained.
Certain matches carry more weight. Winning a World Cup match, for example, adds more points than a friendly. Penalty shootout outcomes are also factored in, with losers earning points equivalent to a draw and winners gaining points equal to half a win. Teams that lose in knockout rounds of final competitions do not lose points.
Here's an example of the calculation provided by FIFA:
- Team A has 1300 points and wins a continental qualifier against Team B with 1500 points.
- For Team A: P = 1300 + 25 * (1 – (1 / (10 ^ (-(1300–1500)/600) + 1)))
- For Team B: P = 1500 + 25 * (0 – (1 / (10 ^ (-(1500–1300)/600) + 1)))
- Team A gains 17 points, ending with 1317 points.
- Team B loses 17 points, finishing with 1483 points.
The Olympics do not impact FIFA rankings because the men's teams consist mainly of Under-23 players. FIFA rankings are based on senior national-team performances. Therefore, even if a team wins the gold medal, their FIFA ranking will not change.
When are FIFA rankings updated?
FIFA rankings are refreshed following each recognised international window and are typically updated multiple times annually in line with the FIFA calendar.
The most recent update occurred in July 2024.