Football olympics

 ### 1. Overview of Football in the Olympics

Football has been a prominent feature of the Olympic Games since its inception in 1900, marking the beginning of organized team sports at the event. The sport has evolved significantly, with men's football being contested continuously, except for the 1932 Games due to disputes over amateur status ((7)) ((87)). Additionally, women's football made its Olympic debut in 1996, further increasing the sport's visibility and participation worldwide ((22)) ((88)).

### 2. Dates and Venues for Paris 2024

The football tournaments for the Paris 2024 Olympics will be held from 24 July to 10 August 2024, encompassing both men's and women's competitions. Matches will take place across various venues including the historic Parc des Princes in Paris, which will host both finals, as well as stadiums in cities such as Bordeaux, Nice, and Marseille ((49)) ((54)) ((91)). This arrangement allows fans to experience the excitement of Olympic football in multiple iconic locations.

### 3. Tournament Structure and Teams

In the men's tournament, a total of 16 teams will participate, divided into four groups, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the quarter-finals ((71)). In contrast, the women’s tournament will feature 12 teams organized into three groups, with the best teams advancing ((71)). Notably, men’s teams are limited to under-23 players, with a maximum of three over-age players allowed ((5)) ((72)). Conversely, there are no age restrictions for women's teams, allowing for a wider array of players to compete ((23)).

### 4. Historical Performance and Notable Teams

Historically, the United States has been the most successful nation in Olympic women's football, claiming gold multiple times ((8)). On the men's side, Brazil and Argentina have demonstrated significant prowess, with Brazil winning consecutive gold medals in 2016 and 2020 ((40)) ((43)). The upcoming tournament at Paris 2024 is expected to showcase the rise of African and Latin American teams, which have increasingly dominated the men's competition since 1992 

The basic rules governing Olympic football align closely with international standards, stipulating two teams of eleven players competing in matches lasting 90 minutes divided into two halves ((70)). The group-stage matches can end in a draw, while knockout rounds will require extra time and potentially penalty shootouts to determine a winner ((70)). These regulations ensure that the Olympic format remains competitive and engaging for players and spectators alike.

Sources: 

 Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024, https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/sports/football

 Football (Soccer) at the Olympics - Topend Sports, https://www.topendsports.com/events/summer/sports/football.htm

 Olympic football: schedule, teams and fixtures at Paris 2024 - BBC, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cy9x953jvx7o

 Olympics: Football (Soccer) - Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/story/olympics-football-soccer

 Football at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament

 Football at the 2024 Summer Olympics - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics

 American football at the Summer Olympics - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_at_the_Summer_Olympics

Olympic Games 2024 Fixtures & Results - Football Scores - Eurosport, https://www.eurosport.com/football/olympic-games/calendar-results.shtml

American Football in the Olympics, https://www.cfbhall.com/news-and-happenings/blog/american-football-in-the-olympics/

Olympic Football Schedule & Results | Paris 2024, https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/schedule/football

 Olympic Football Tournaments Paris 2024 - FIFA, https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/olympicgames/paris2024

Men's Olympic Football Tournament Match Schedule - FIFA, https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/olympicgames/paris2024/articles/mens-olympic-football-tournament-paris-2024-schedule

Flag Football Is Coming To the Olympics!, https://usafootball.com/media-center/flag-football-is-coming-to-the-olympics