Previous Olympics: One
Best result: Group stage (1968)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Did not compete
Qualification: AFC–CAF play-off winner
Manager: Morlaye Cisse
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Soumaila Sylla (Reims), Mory Keita (Sangaredi)
Defenders: Madiou Keita (Auxerre), Mohamed Soumah (Gent), Naby Oulare (Boluspor), Bangaly Cisse (Kaloum), Rayane Doucoure (Red Star)
Midfielders: Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), Abdoulaye Toure (Le Havre), Amadou Diawara (Anderlecht), Aguibou Camara (Atromitos), Issiaga Camara (Nice)
Attackers: Ousmane Camara (Annecy), Algassime Bah (Olympiacos), Amadou Diallo (Rennes), Aliou Balde (Nice), Henry Camara (Atalanta BC)
NEW ZEALAND
© Reuters
Previous Olympics: Three
Best result: Quarter-finals (Tokyo 2020)
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Quarter-finals
Qualification: 2023 OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament winners
Manager: Darren Bazeley
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Alex Paulsen (Bournemouth), Kees Sims (GAIS)
Defenders: Michael Boxall (Minnesota United), Sam Sutton (Wellington Phoenix), Tyler Bindon (Reading), Finn Surman (Wellington Phoenix), Lukas Kelly-Heald (Wellington Phoenix), Matthew Sheridan (Wellington Phoenix)
Midfielders: Joe Bell (Viking), Matthew Garbett (NAC Breda), Ben Old (Wellington Phoenix), Sarpreet Singh (free agent), Fin Conchie (Wellington Phoenix)
Attackers: Ben Waine (Plymouth Argyle), Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), Jay Herdman (Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2), Riley Bidois (Loudoun United), Oskar van Hattum (Wellington Phoenix)
OLYMPIC FOOTBALL 2024 GROUP A PREDICTION
Ignoring their shoddy showing at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics, France undoubtedly kick off Group A as the overwhelming favourites to top the section and cruise into the knockout stages, a label that Henry’s side ought to live up to later this month.
The USA possess enough MLS and European-based talent to give France a good run for their money, but the Yanks will likely be condemned to a second-placed finish, still good enough for a spot in the quarter-finals but with the likelihood of a more difficult draw.
Such placements will leave Guinea and New Zealand to battle for pride and a third-placed finish, and while there is no discounting the latter’s terrific goalscoring form of late, the African outfit – headlined by Naby Keita and Ilaix Moriba – should avoid finishing last in just their second appearance in the Olympic men’s football tournament.