BEIJING -- Brazil, Italy and host China received favorable draws Sunday for the Beijing Olympics soccer tournament.
In the 16-team men's tournament, it's the United States, Netherlands, Nigeria and Japan in Group B, while Group D drew Italy against South Korea, Cameroon and Honduras.
Defending champion Argentina was drawn in Group A alongside the Ivory Coast, Australia and Serbia.
In the draw conducted by FIFA -- the world governing body of soccer -- Brazil and China were drawn together in Group C of the men's tournament, along with New Zealand and Belgium. The top two teams from each group to progress.
In the women's draw, host China was drawn against Sweden, Argentina and Canada.
The reigning World Cup champion Germany, and World Cup runner-up Brazil were drawn together against North Korea and Nigeria.
The United States, which was third in last year's women's World Cup, was drawn in Group G with Norway, Japan and New Zealand.
For the women, the top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. They are joined by the two best third-placed teams.
Both tournaments open before the official start of the Aug. 8-24 Olympics. The women's tournament opens on Aug. 6 with six games scheduled in Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao. The men begin on Aug. 7 with eight games in Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.
The women's final is Aug. 21 at Workers' Stadium in Beijing. The men's final is Aug. 23 at the new 91,000-seat National Stadium in Beijing -- the "Bird's Nest."
