Paris 2024 Olympics: Which Premier League stars are in action?
The Paris 2024 Olympics are just around the corner, and football fans are eagerly anticipating the men’s tournament, which kicks off on July 24th. With nine current Premier League stars vying for gold with their respective national teams, the competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Let’s dive into the details of the Olympic football tournament and explore the Premier League players who will be gracing the pitch in Paris.
- The men’s Olympic football tournament at Paris 2024 kicks off on July 24th and concludes with the final on August 9th at Parc des Princes.
- 16 nations are participating in the tournament, divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stages.
- Key dates to remember include the Group Stage from July 24th to 30th, Quarter-finals on August 2nd, Semi-finals on August 5th, Bronze Medal Match on August 8th, and Gold Medal Match on August 9th.
- The Premier League will be well-represented at the Olympics with nine players from seven clubs competing for their respective national teams in Paris.
When does the Olympic football take place?
The men’s Olympic football tournament gets underway on July 24th, with Spain facing Uzbekistan and Argentina taking on Morocco in the opening matches. The tournament culminates with the final on Friday, August 9th, a grand finale to be held at the prestigious Parc des Princes in Paris.
The tournament will see 16 nations battling for glory, divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stages, culminating in the thrilling quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately, the coveted gold medal match.
Which teams are taking part?
The competition features a diverse array of nations, each with their own unique blend of talent and ambition. The groups are as follows:
- Group A: France, USA, Guinea, New Zealand
- Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq, Ukraine
- Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt, Dominican Republic
- Group D: Japan, Paraguay, Mali, Israel
What are the key dates?
Mark your calendars for these crucial dates:
- Group Stage: July 24th – 30th
- Quarter-finals: August 2nd
- Semi-finals: August 5th
- Bronze Medal Match: August 8th
- Gold Medal Match: August 9th
Which Premier League players are in action?
A total of nine players from seven Premier League clubs will be representing their countries in Paris. The competition boasts a mix of established stars and promising youngsters, each eager to make their mark on the international stage.
Premier League stars aiming for Olympic glory:
- Argentina: Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
- France: Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Lesley Ugochukwu (Chelsea)
- Mali: Boubacar Traore (Wolves)
- New Zealand: Alex Paulsen (AFC Bournemouth), Henry Gray (Ipswich)
- Paraguay: Julio Enciso (Brighton), Enso Gonzalez (Wolves)
- United States: Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea)
Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, a recent Copa America winner, is undoubtedly one of the most high-profile players in the competition. His presence on the Argentinian squad adds a layer of excitement to their campaign, as they look to replicate their success in Beijing 2008.
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Julio Enciso, another South American sensation, will be looking to emulate Alvarez’s achievement by securing a Copa America-Olympics double with Paraguay.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta, who enjoyed a prolific end to the 2023/24 season, is one of three over-age players selected by France manager Thierry Henry, a testament to his impressive form.
Chelsea’s Gabriel Slonina, who spent last season on loan at KAS Eupen, is tasked with guarding the United States goal. He is joined by his Chelsea teammate Lesley Ugochukwu, a young midfielder with a bright future ahead of him.
Wolves duo Boubacar Traore and Enso Gonzalez will be facing each other when Mali and Paraguay clash in their Group D encounter on July 30th, a unique clash of Premier League teammates.
Finally, AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Paulsen and Ipswich Town’s Henry Gray will be representing New Zealand, hoping to make their mark on the global stage.
Will they miss any Premier League matches?
The Olympic tournament concludes exactly a week before the Premier League’s opening night, giving the players ample time to return to their clubs and prepare for the new season. However, the absence of these players during pre-season training and tactical preparations could force their managers to adjust their plans accordingly.
The biggest question mark hangs over players like Alvarez and Enciso, who will have been in action for their respective countries for the majority of the summer. The extent of their rest and their managers’ plans for their recovery and reintegration will determine their availability for the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Which Premier League players have won an Olympic gold medal?
Only a handful of Premier League players have returned to their clubs with the prestigious Olympic gold medal dangling from their necks.
Javier Mascherano, currently Argentina’s head coach, will be aiming to replicate his Beijing 2008 success as a Liverpool player and lead Argentina to their third Olympic gold medal.
Lauren, a former Arsenal defender, was the first Premier League player to win an Olympic gold medal, achieving this feat with Cameroon at the Sydney 2000 games.
Gabriel Heinze, a former Manchester United player, followed suit with Argentina’s victory in Athens 2004.
Giovani Dos Santos, during his time with Tottenham Hotspur, was part of the victorious Mexican side at the London 2012 Olympics.
Brazil, the champions of the Tokyo 2020 games, featured three Premier League players during their triumph over Spain. Everton’s Richarlison, now playing for Tottenham, returned to Goodison Park as a gold medalist. Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, just weeks after his 20th birthday, became an Olympic champion. Douglas Luiz, who recently joined Juventus, earned his gold medal during his time with Aston Villa.
Premier League Olympic gold medalists
| Year | Winner | Players |
|—|—|—|
| Sydney 2000 | Cameroon | Lauren |
| Athens 2004 | Argentina | Gabriel Heinze |
| Beijing 2008 | Argentina | Javier Mascherano |
| London 2012 | Mexico | Giovani dos Santos |
| Tokyo 2020 | Brazil | Gabriel Martinelli, Richarlison, Douglas Luiz |
With the Olympic football tournament set to kick off in just a few weeks, the Premier League stars in action will be hoping to add their names to this illustrious list of Olympic gold medalists. The competition promises to be a thrilling spectacle, as these talented footballers strive to achieve glory on the global stage.
