The United States women’s football team is heading to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as favorites to claim the gold medal, having won four out of the eight Olympics since the sport was added to the roster of events. World champions Spain and hosts France are also strong contenders, but Brazil, led by the legendary Marta Vieira da Silva, cannot be ruled out. The women’s football tournament will kick off on July 25, and here are the top five players to watch.
Marta, who is often considered the greatest female footballer in history, has six FIFA Player of the Year awards to her name. Despite her individual accolades, the 38-year-old has yet to win a major global trophy, with Brazil falling short in previous Olympic and World Cup competitions. Marta holds the record for the most goals scored at either men’s or women’s World Cups and has announced that the Paris Olympics will be her final shot at Olympic glory.
Racheal Kundananji from Zambia will carry the weight of her nation’s expectations as the world’s most expensive female footballer heading into the Olympics. The 24-year-old forward recently signed for NWSL team Bay FC for a substantial fee after impressing with her performances for both her country and club side in Spain. Aitana Bonmati of Spain, the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner, will also be a player to watch at the Paris Olympics, having been instrumental in her team’s World Cup victory and Champions League success.
Lindsey Horan will captain the United States team, the most successful in women’s football at the Olympics with four gold medals. The versatile 30-year-old forward has experience playing in top leagues in Europe and the US and will be looking to lead her team to another medal finish in Paris. Mary Fowler of Australia, a rising star in women’s football, will also be one to watch at the Olympics, having made a significant impact at the 2023 World Cup and 2020 Games. Fowler’s potential breakout tournament could see Australia vying for their first gold medal in women’s football.
To keep up with all the action at the Paris 2024 Olympics, fans can follow Al Jazeera’s dedicated tournament page for news, features, event build-up, and live text commentary on selected football, basketball, tennis, and boxing fixtures. With a strong field of talented players and competitive teams, the women’s football tournament at the Paris Olympics promises to be an exciting and closely contested event. Fans can look forward to watching some of the best female footballers in the world compete for the prestigious gold medal and showcase their skills on the global stage.
