The BIG Olympics Preview

With less than a week to go until kick-off across France, WFC looks in-depth at all 12 nations competing in the women's football tournament...

It’s now less than a week until the women’s football gets under way in France as 12 of the top national teams around congregrate on six cities to do battle across 16 hectic days for a gold medal.

With plenty of change in the squads, head coaches and another summer with a major tournament for the world to watch, there’s plenty at stake and plenty of opportunity for shocks to be caused.

Ahead of the tournament, I run the rule over all 12 nations to assess their chances come the opening round of games on Thursday 25th July.

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GROUP A

Canada

Overview

They often don’t get talked about enough when it comes to major tournaments, but Canada come into the 2024 Paris Olympics as the defending gold medallists, and therefore naturally have a target on their backs.

Canada are unbeaten in their last 14 games and have swept aside both Nigeria and Australia in recent weeks, two teams they failed to beat down under 12 months ago, as well as two draws against the USA in both the Gold Cup and the SheBelieves Cup.

What’s changed?

Unsurprisingly, not a lot. Canada under Bev Priestman has always prioritised stability and the Englishwoman has made minimal changes to her squad for the Olympics, with just Jade Rose and Sydney Collins make the step into the squad, while Janine Beckie returns after missing out on the World Cup through an ACL injury.

Allysha Chapman, who gave birth in February, is out, along with retirees Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt, with Shelina Zadorsky, Deanne Rose, Gabby Carle and Lysianne Proulx all alternates.

Olivia Smith, who has just joined Liverpool, is the surprise omission.

What to expect?

It was a disappointing World Cup for Canada, often well thought of as a ‘tournament team’, but didn’t make it out of the group after a dismantling at the hands of co-hosts Australia.

Since then, Priestman has moved to a 3-4-3 system with a consistent back three of Rose, Vanessa Gilles and Kadeisha Buchanan.

The midfield is a bit more open for debate, as is the centre forward role, but it would be a surprise not to see a familiar look with a familiar squad.

Question marks?

Priestman doesn’t quite look like she’s worked out the top end of the team just yet. Jessie Fleming, now captain, and Julia Grosso seem the obvious bet, but youngster Simi Awujo has also started several games recently, while the centre forward role also appears open.

Evelyne Viens is yet to recreate her club form at international level, and while both Beckie and Adriana Leon have started regularly lately, Viens looks to be competing with Jordyn Huitema, Nichelle Prince and Cloe Lacasse for the other spot in the front three. Viens, Huitema and Prince all found the net in recent friendly wins, adding to a difficult choice to predict for Priestman.

Key Player?

Adriana Leon

Leon has been rejuvenated since joining Aston Villa last summer and since the World Cup exit has scored 11 goals for the national team. For a nation which has often struggled for a clinical edge in attack, Leon’s form coming into the Olympics will be a big boost for head coach Priestman in a group likely decided by fine margins.

One to Watch?

Jade Rose

I’ve already mentioned the 21-year-old wasn’t even part of the World Cup squad 12 months ago, yet now looks an almost dead cert to start in the Canada back three. One of the top young centre-backs in the competition, the US college star will be one to keep an eye on for this tournament and beyond.

Likely XI?

Kailen Sheridan – Jade Rose, Vanessa Gilles, Kadeisha Buchanan – Ashley Lawrence, Jessie Fleming, Simi Awujo – Janine Beckie, Nichelle Prince, Adriana Leon

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Colombia

Overview

There should be rightful excitement about Colombia coming into this tournament. They were one of the shining lights of the World Cup 12 months ago and look a good bet to go far again with key players in good form and a group which seems open enough for the South Americans to pick up some good results.

A disappointing defeat to Ecuador last time out hopefully doesn’t dampen things too much off the back of five straight wins, including a 1-0 win against Mexico, but it does mean there’s some questions for Colombia.

What’s changed?

There are five new faces in the Colombia squad compared to last summer, with Katherine Tapia, Yirleidis Minota, Liana Salazar, Ilana Izquierdo and Manuela Paví all in.

Head coach Ángelo Marsiglia, who replaced Nelson Abadia after the World Cup but was previously his assistant, has lost a couple of key figures to injuries such as Diana Ospina and Lorena Bedoya, as well as young full-back Ana María Guzmán.

María Camila Reyes, Sandra Sepúlveda and Lady Andrade drop to the alternates list, while Natalia Giraldo, Monica Ramos, Ivonne Chacon and Elexa Bahr are also out.

What to expect?

Marsiglia has done a lot of rotating in 2024, but when everyone has been fit and ready, there has been a familiar look to the front four in particular, with Leicy Santos, Linda Caciedo and Cataline Usme starting behind Mayra Ramirez.

The back four is practically unchanged with Carolina and Daniela Arias set to start alongside Jorelyn Carabali and Manuela Vanegas, with some variation of 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 expected as per last summer.

Question marks?

The midfield appears to be the issue for Marsiglia right now, after losing Ospina and then more recently Bedoya. Izquierdo has started several games lately, as too has Marcela Restrepo alongside the captain Daniela Montoya, but it remains to be seen what Marsiglia settles on come the opener against Canada.

The most interesting area is in goal, with Marsiglia calling on two goalkeepers who haven’t played yet in 2024. Catalina Pérez returns after being the team’s number one last year, but with Giraldo and Sepúlveda sharing duties earlier in 2024, it’s a surprise to see neither in the final 18.

Who starts in attack may also be open, with youngster Manuela Paví starting several recent friendly games, but if everyone’s fit, she’ll likely be a substitute.

Key Player?

Mayra Ramírez

It’s hard to pick out anyone specifically in the Colombia attack, but Mayra Ramírez’s eye-catching debut few months in the Barclays Women’s Super League should whet the appetite for what to expect this summer. While all eyes last summer were on Linda Caicedo, Ramirez slid under the radar despite enjoying a good tournament, and her new-found reputation as a big money purchase will put her more in the public eye this summer.

One to Watch?

Ilana Izquierdo

In a team which is unlikely to look too different to that of 12 months ago, Izquierdo seems to be the most likely candidate as it stands to fill the vacant midfield role. Like Rose, Izquierdo is a US college student but has found some good form in her early appearances for the senior national team.

Likely XI?

Catarina Perez – Carolina Arias, Daniela Arias, Jorelyn Carabali, Manuela Vanegas – Daniela Montoya, Ilana Izqueirdo – Leicy Santos, Linda Caicedo, Mayra Ramírez – Catalina Usme

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