What you need to know about the Matildas' Olympic run (2024)

The Matildas will play at least three games at the Paris Games, having secured their ticket earlier this year.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the Matildas' run at the 2024 Olympics.

When do the Matildas play at the Olympics?

There's a bit of a time difference between Australia and France. Paris is half a day behind us and that can make things a bit confusing.

So here are the Australian dates for the team's first three matches:

  • Friday, July 26: Australia vs Germany RESULT: Matildas lost 3-0
  • Monday, July 29: Australia vs Zambia RESULT: Matildas win 6-5
  • Thursday, August 1: Australia vs USA

Depending on how they go, the Matildas may play further matches from August 4.

What time are the Matildas games?

Very early in the morning.

Each of the Matildas' first three games will start at 7pm Central European Summer Time. That's:

  • 1am AWST (Western Australia)
  • 2.30am ACST (Northern Territory and South Australia)
  • 3am AEST (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria)

Who are the Matildas playing?

Their first three matches will be against Germany, Zambia and the US.

That's because the Matildas are in the same group as those countries.

They may play other countries if they make it through to the knockout finals.

Which countries are playing in the women's football at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Only 12 nations qualified for Paris 2024.

Each team was seeded into the draw based on their FIFA Women's World Rankings, except for France, which was assigned its position in Group A as host nation.

Here's the full draw:

  • Group A: France, Canada, Colombia and New Zealand
  • Group B: Australia, USA, Zambia and Germany
  • Group C: Spain, Japan, Nigeria and Brazil

The top two teams from each group and the two best third-placed teams will go on to play in the knockout finals from August 4.

Where can I watch the Matildas' Olympic matches?

The Olympics will be broadcast free-to-air on Channel Nine and 9Gem.

The station's streaming service 9Now will also offer more than 40 live sports channels.

ABC Sport will also be live blogging Olympic events as they unfold.

And in Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, Darwin, the Gold Coast and regional markets across the country, listeners can hear live daily Olympics coverage across ABC Radio and DAB+.

The ABC coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is brought to you in conjunction with the Nine Network.

Is Sam Kerr playing in the Olympics?

No.

Star forward Sam Kerr was officially ruled out of the Olympics in late May due to an ongoing ACL injury.

Attacking midfielder Amy Sayer will join her on the sidelines, also with an ACL injury.

Who is on the Matildas squad?

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson had plenty of talent to choose from when filling his 18-woman squad, despite injuries sidelining some mainstays.

Captain Steph Catley, vice-captains Emily van Egmond and Ellie Carpenter, plus Mackenzie Arnold, Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne and Tameka Yallop will all take part in their third Olympic campaign.

Meanwhile, Cortnee Vine, who scored the match-winning penalty in the World Cup quarterfinal shootout against France, is one of four Olympic debutants, alongside Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey and Clare Wheeler.

How do football teams qualify for the Olympics?

For those who followed the Women's World Cup last year, it may come as a surprise to see England didn't make the cut for the Games.

The Lionesses took second place in the championship after knocking the Matildas out in the semifinal round.

What you need to know about the Matildas' Olympic run (1)

Sweden's team, which won the third-place play-off against Australia, is also noticeably absent.

That's because Olympic qualifications are decided by who wins regional tournaments.

Only two tickets to Paris were up for grabs for European teams, and those went to Germany and current World Cup title holder Spain.

France's women's team, which is currently ranked second in the world, also has a place in the football program but it doesn't have to compete for that spot because France is hosting the Games this year.

What about Australia's men's team?

The Australian men's football team, the Olyroos, won't be competing.

They missed out on a ticket to Paris after finishing below Qatar and Indonesia in the group stage of the U-23 Asian Cup.

Here are the groups for the men's tournament:

  • Group A: France, USA, New Zealand and Guinea
  • Group B: Argentina, Morocco, Iraq and Ukraine
  • Group C: Uzbekistan, Spain, Egypt and the Dominican Republic
  • Group D: Mali, Israel, Japan and Paraguay

Posted, updated

What you need to know about the Matildas' Olympic run (2024)

FAQs

How did the Matildas go in the Olympics? ›

The Matilda's journey at the Paris Olympics has proven to be a short one. Tony Gustavsson's players have lost their third, and what has proven to be final, game in the tournament, 2-1 to the United States at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

Are Matildas out of the Olympics in 2024? ›

The Matildas' journey at the Paris 2024™ Olympic Games has come to an end. Despite their best efforts, the team has not progressed to the Quarter Finals. This outcome is undoubtedly disappointing for the team, the fans, and the entire Australian football community.

What do I need to know about the Olympics? ›

The first-ever Olympics were held in Athens, Greece in 1896. Since then, the Olympic Games are held every four years. The maiden edition saw 241 athletes from 14 nations take part in nine sports – athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

Why isn't Sam Kerr playing in the Olympics? ›

Despite her World Cup performances and crucial role in securing Australia's Olympic spot, Sam Kerr will be absent from Paris. Australian soccer star Sam Kerr won't be joining the Matildas at the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a knee injury.

Why are they called Matildas? ›

Thus in 1995 the Australian Women's Soccer Association joined with Special Broadcasting Service to broadcast a naming competition for the female team. Out of five names, the popular vote chose "Matildas", from the song "Waltzing Matilda".

What do Matildas need to qualify? ›

The good news for Aussies is that the only thing we *need* to qualify as a third-place team and guarantee a spot in the quarter-finals is a draw. If the Matildas draw against the USA and Zambia *doesn't* beat Germany, Australia will finish the group stage as the best third-placed team.

What is the age limit for the Olympics? ›

There is no age limit for participating in the Olympic Games, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

How much money do you need to go to the Olympics? ›

For the 2024 Paris Olympics, Iroanya's spending is the norm. International spectators can expect to pay at least $5,000 to attend—including hotel, airfare, and event ticket costs—, experts say, though pricing largely ranges depending on the accommodation choices of attendees.

Who is the captain of the Matildas Olympics? ›

Captain Steph Catley confessed the Matildas “need to be better” after starting their Olympic campaign with a 3-0 loss against heavyweights Germany on Friday morning AEST.

Which Matildas missed out on the Olympic team? ›

Charlotte Grant, Lydia Williams, Courtney Nevin, Sharn Freier, Jada Whyman and Winonah Heatley were the players cut from the 23 who were in the squad for the recent friendlies against China.

Who was selected for the Matildas team? ›

Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Michelle Heyman, Teagan Micah, and Hayley Raso all return for their second Games, while Clare Hunt, Kaitlyn Torpey, Cortnee Vine and Clare Wheeler have been selected to make their Olympic debut.

Did the Matildas beat the USA? ›

The Matildas were beaten 2-1 by the powerful US Women's National Team in their final group match of the 2024 Olympic Games. The Australians needed a win or a draw to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals, following an earlier loss to Germany and the dramatic win over Zambia.

What is Australia's best sport in the Olympics? ›

Swimming alone has earned Australia a record 71 Olympic gold medals. Australia boast a rich history at the Olympics, having competed and won medals at each of the 29 editions of the modern Summer Games to date.

Who was the first woman to play in the Olympics? ›

The first modern Olympic Games to feature female athletes was the 1900 Games in Paris. Hélène de Pourtalès of Switzerland became the first woman to compete at the Olympic Games and became the first female Olympic champion, as a member of the winning team in the first 1 to 2 ton sailing event on May 22, 1900.

Who was the first woman to win 4 gold medals in the Olympics? ›

Katie Ledecky made Olympic history Saturday when she became the first woman to win four Olympic medals in the same event in any sport. She won her second gold medal in Paris in the 800-meter freestyle. Ledecky went faster than her winning time in Tokyo, touching in 8 minutes, 11.04 seconds.

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