Instructions for the men’s football tournament at the Paris Olympics (July 24-August 9):
. The origins
Football is said to be a derivative of “calcio”, played in Florence during the Renaissance. But the first rules of this sport were drafted in England, at Cambridge University, in 1846, and it was the English Federation, born in 1863, which issued the laws of the game, for a first international match between England and Scotland in 1871 (0-0).
Men’s football appeared at the Olympic Games in Paris in 1900, with England winning, and it has never left the Olympic programme since, except in 1932 in Los Angeles.
The 1992 Games in Barcelona marked a turning point: professionals were allowed to play, but, unlike the women’s tournament, participants had to be under 23, with a maximum of three older players per selection.
. The test
Football is played between two teams of 11 players, including a goalkeeper, on a pitch approximately 100 m long and 65 m wide. The goals are 7.32 m wide and 2.44 m high. Matches last two halves of 45 minutes, with, in the knockout stages, extra time of two 15-minute periods in the event of a draw. If the score remains tied, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
The competition begins with a group stage, with four groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group play quarter-finals until the gold medal final.
With matches starting on July 24, football is one of three sports (along with rugby sevens and archery) that start before the opening ceremony.
. Where are the stars?
As the men’s Olympic tournament does not fall within FIFA’s international windows, clubs are not required to release their players to participate.
Also Kylian Mbappé, who had said his dream of taking part in the Olympic Games in his city, will not be there. Nor will Leo Messi. In the end, there will be very few stars.
The consequence and paradox of this tournament: it is not certain that France, coached by Thierry Henry, will be able to succeed the French Olympic champions of 1984 and to have any influence in these home Games, played in a Paris region which is one of the main breeding grounds for talent in the world.
. Nigeria and Cameroon
Since it was opened to professionals, the Olympic tournament has allowed two golden generations of African teams to shine before the world’s eyes: Nigeria in 1996 and Cameroon in 2000.
In Atlanta, Amunike, Babayaro, Ikpeba, Kanu, Okocha, Oliseh, Oruma and West surprisingly defeated Argentina in the final of the Games, after eliminating Brazil’s Bebeto, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos in the semi-finals. They allowed the African continent to win its first gold medal in 100 years in a football tournament.
Four years later in Sydney, it was Cameroon of Samuel Eto’o, Patrick Mboma and Modeste M’bami who imitated them by overcoming Spain of Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez in the final.
. The sites
The matches will be played in seven cities: Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Marseille and Nice. The final will be played at the Parc des Princes in Paris, the third-place play-off and bronze medal match at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
