A total of 15 countries are certain to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics for men’s football. This leaves only one slot for football remaining, which is being contested by the Indonesian U-23 and Guinea U-23 national teams.
Asian countries are the representatives who have just confirmed themselves to take tickets to the Olympics. This is because the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup, which is a qualifying event, will only be held in April-May 2024.
The Indonesian U-23 national team also had the opportunity to enter the biggest sporting event after qualifying for the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. Unfortunately, this could not be realized after the Garuda Muda squad was only able to finish fourth.
Even so, the Indonesian U-23 National Team’s hopes of appearing at the 2024 Paris Olympics are still open. However, they must be able to beat the Guinea U-23 National Team from Africa in the play-off round to be able to secure the only remaining ticket and follow the other 15 countries.
The following are 15 countries that have been confirmed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics:
1. France
France becomes the first country to qualify for the Olympics. This is because this sporting event was held in Paris. As hosts, Les Blues automatically secures one ticket in the group.
2. United States
The United States became the second country to qualify for the Olympics. Uncle Sam’s country qualified after successfully becoming champion in the CONCACAF U20 Cup in 2022.
3. Dominican Republic
Along with America, the Dominican Republic will also represent North and Central America at the Olympics. Dominica successfully advanced to Paris after becoming runner-up in the 2022 CONCACAF U20 Cup.
4. Spain
From the European continent, Spain became the first to qualify for the Olympics. The Matador team qualified for the group phase after becoming runners up in the 2023 U21 European Cup after losing to England in the final.
5. Israel
Israel also qualified for the Olympics as a representative from Europe. This country full of conflict secured a ticket after qualifying for the semifinals of the 2023 U21 European Cup.
6. Ukraine
Similar to Israel, Ukraine also qualified for the Olympics after becoming semifinalists in the 2023 European U21 Cup. One place belonging to Europe actually belonged to England who became champions. However, because England is not a member of the IOC, the quota was given to another semifinalist.
7. Morocco
Turning to the African continent, Morocco is the leading country to qualify for the Olympics. This is because Morocco successfully won the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
8. Egypt
Accompanying Morocco, Egypt also managed to advance to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Land of the Pyramids managed to become runner-up in the 2023 African U-23 Cup as a qualifying round in Africa.
9. Mali
One slot from the last African continent was taken by Mali. Mali qualified for the Olympics after successfully becoming third place in the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations after beating Guinea in the deciding round.
10. New Zealand
From the Oceania region, New Zealand will be the only representative. This developed country neighboring Australia managed to qualify for the Olympics after passing the OFC Olympic qualifications.
11. Paraguay
Paraguay became the first representative from Latin America. Surprisingly, this country beat Brazil in the semifinals of the CONMEBOL Qualifications and beat Argentina in the final round.
12. Argentina
Accompanying Paraguay, Argentina will also represent Latin America at the 2024 Paris Olympics. La Albiceleste qualified after being runners up in the CONMEBOL Qualifications.
13. Uzbekistan
From Asia, Uzbekistan became the first representative to qualify for the Olympics. The White Wolves squad got this after defeating the U-23 Indonesian National Team in the semifinals of the U-23 Asian Cup and qualifying for the final round.
14. Japan
Similar to Uzbekistan, Japan also represented Asia at the Olympics after becoming a finalist in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup. The Samurai Blue team managed to qualify after beating Iraq in the semifinals with a score of 2-0.
15. Iraq
Iraq is the latest country confirmed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was confirmed after the Mesopotamian Lions squad won third place in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup after defeating the Indonesian U-23 National Team in the match for third place.
These are the 15 countries that have been confirmed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The remaining ticket will be up for grabs between the Indonesian U-23 national team and Guinea U-23 in the Olympic play-off match which will be held on May 9 2024.
It will be interesting to watch the U-23 Indonesian National Team advance to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
