The United States women's national team will face Germany, Australia and either Zambia or Morocco in the group stage at the Olympics this summer after Wednesday's group stage draw. The Americans open up against the winner of the African playoff between Zambia and Morocco on July 25.
The women's Olympic soccer tournament is considered by some to be the most difficult competition to win. Just 12 teams will participate in the upcoming Paris games starting July 25 and conclude with the gold medal match on August 10.
It will be the first time the Olympic soccer tournaments conclude with the women's final. The top two teams from each group and the best third-place group finishers will advance into the knockout rounds.
Canada are the reigning gold medalists and will defend their title alongside tournament hosts France in Group A. While USA will try and change the color of their recent Bronze medal as the favorites in Group B. 2023 FIFA World Cup champions Spain were drawn as leaders of Group C and will open their Olympic tournament against Brazil.
The Americans will face Germany on July 28 and Australia on July 31.
Let's take a look at the groups:
Group A
- France
- Colombia
- Canada
- New Zealand
Group B
- USA
- Zambia/Morocco
- Germany
- Australia
Group C
- Spain
- Japan
- South Africa/Nigeria
- Brazil
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USWNT's path to Olympic Gold
Now that we know the teams in Group B, let's take a look at the group schedule for USA.
Thursday, July 25
USWNT vs. Zambia/Morocco: Allianz Riviera -- Nice, France
Sunday, July 28
USWNT vs. Germany: Allianz Riviera -- Nice, France
Wednesday, July 31
Australia vs. USWNT: Stade Vélodrome -- Marseille, France
The strength of Group B
Every group will provide a level of chaos in this tournament. For the USWNT in Group B, there are plenty of familiarities, and a first-time foe, as they begin their march to the Olympic podium. The winner of Zambia and Morocco will be the third team in Group B and the U.S. have never played either.
Germany and USA are no strangers to high-stakes meetings. The USWNT knocked out Germany during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. They last faced each other in a pair of friendlies in November 2022 and the two sides split the series each ending in 2-1 scorelines.
Australia and USA have met several times over the previous decade, with games against each other in the 2015 World Cup, 2018 Tournament of Nations, friendlies in 2019, and most recently during the Tokyo Olympics. The two sides were drawn into the same group and played to a scoreless draw before meeting again in the bronze medal match. The USWNT defeated Australia 4-3 to reach the podium for a third-place finish.
What's next?
There's just a short build-up to the Paris games and interim head coach Twila Kilgore is looking ahead to the SheBelieves Cup in April. The USWNT will host Brazil, Canada, and Japan in a shortened SheBelieves Cup format that runs April 6-9. Four teams will play a semifinal then move on to play third place match and Cup final.
Kilgore was in Paris for the draw and will continue to work collaboratively with incoming manager Emma Hayes for the remaining international windows.
"The team is in a good place. We will pick up where we left off at Gold Cup and that's really important. This is a team that's working on taking consistent forward steps, and making sure that even when we go back to our clubs and we come back, that we're reintegrating as quick as possible," Kilgore said in press availability after the draw.
"Making sure that we are taking advantage of every moment that we have together because it's so precious leading up to the Olympics. It's just not that much time. It also has a lot to do with collaboration. Fortunately, because I'm in Europe, this collaboration will be face-to-face which is great. But spending time with Emma, and working towards -- especially now that we know who our opponents are -- just next steps for the group, next steps for the staff, is really important."
