Following the culmination of the Asian Cup of Nations final, the U23 national teams of Mali and Egypt now have a clear picture of their opponents for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games football tournament. Japan secured victory over Uzbekistan (1-0) in the final, completing the roster for the tournament.
While the groups were not entirely finalized due to an impending play-off round between Guinea and Indonesia, the framework for the Olympic football tournament is taking shape.
Mali, who clinched bronze at the 2023 U23 AFCON , finds themselves in Group D alongside Japan, Paraguay, and Israel.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s U23 team, following Uzbekistan’s defeat, enters Group C, where they will face off against Spain, and the Dominican Republic.
For Mali, this marks their second-ever participation in the Olympics, and they will be looking to make an impact in a challenging group.
Conversely, Egypt, led by their talented U23 squad, aims to navigate through a competitive Group C to stake their claim in the tournament.
Other notable groupings include Morocco’s placement in Group B, where they will encounter Iraq,
Argentina, and Ukraine. Guinea, pending qualification, is slated to join Group A, alongside hosts France, the United States, and New Zealand, after their play-off clash with Indonesia on May 9 determines the final participant.
The stage is set for an exhilarating tournament, with each group presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities for the participating nations.
As the countdown to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games continues, anticipation builds for football fans worldwide to witness the next generation of talent compete on the international stage.