The 2021 Women’s Soccer Olympics will be held in Tokyo, Japan from July 23 to August 8. This will be the first time that the Women’s Soccer Olympics will be held in Asia. With 12 teams vying for the title, it is sure to be an exciting tournament. The United States is currently the favorite to win, but with so many talented teams participating, anything could happen. Keep reading to learn more about the teams competing in this year’s Women’s Soccer Olympics and what to expect from the tournament.
The United States
In the United States, women’s soccer is one of the most popular sports. The national team has won three Olympic gold medals and four World Cups. The sport is also played at the collegiate level, with over 1,200 teams in Division I, II, and III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The popularity of women’s soccer in the United States can be traced back to the early twentieth century. In 1913, the first women’s soccer game was played at Stanford University. The game quickly gained popularity on college campuses across the country. In 1971, the first NCAA championship was held. The University of North Carolina has won the most NCAA championships, with 21 titles.
The United States national team has been one of the most successful in international competition. The team won its first Olympic gold medal in 1996 and followed that up with wins in 2000 and 2004. The team also won the World Cup in 1991 and 1999.
Canada
As the 2016 Olympic Games approach, many eyes will be on the Canadian women’s soccer team. The team has seen great success in recent years, winning the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and finishing first in their group at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With stars like captain Christine Sinclair and goalkeeper Erin McLeod, the Canadian team is poised to make a run at the gold medal in Brazil. They will face stiff competition from teams like the United States, Germany, and France, but they have what it takes to win.
The Canadian team has been preparing hard for the Olympics, and they are ready to take on the world. Be sure to cheer them on as they go for gold!
Mexico
Mexico has been a powerhouse in women’s soccer for many years. They have qualified for every World Cup since 1994 and have made it to the quarterfinals or beyond six times. They are currently ranked 11th in the world.
While they have never won a World Cup or an Olympic medal, they did win the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Their best showing at an Olympics was fourth place in 2012
Argentina has a long and storied history in women’s soccer, dating back to the country’s first official women’s match in 1957. The Argentine women’s national team has won two FIFA Women’s World Cups (1991 and 1999) and an Olympic gold medal (2004), making them one of the most successful women’s soccer teams in the world.
Argentinean women’s soccer star Lionel Messi is widely considered to be one of the best female players in the world, and has won numerous individual awards, including six FIFA Ballon d’Or awards. Messi began her career with the Argentine women’s national team in 2004, and has since helped the team to victory at two FIFA Women’s World Cups (2007 and 2015) and an Olympic gold medal (2008).
Other notable Argentine women’s soccer players include Gabriela Sabatini, who won an Olympic silver medal in 1988; Daniela Hantuchova, who won an Olympic bronze medal in 2000; and Maradona, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest female players of all time.
England
The English women’s national soccer team has been one of the most successful teams in the world, winning the World Cup in 1966 and the Olympic Gold Medal in 2012. They are currently ranked 3rd in the world by FIFA.
The team is coached by Mark Sampson and captained by Steph Houghton. They are currently preparing for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Some of the key players on the team include Lucy Bronze, Karen Bardsley, Alex Greenwood, Jill Scott, Fara Williams, Eniola Aluko, and Fran Kirby.
France
France has fielded a women’s national soccer team since 1971, and although they have never won a World Cup or an Olympic gold medal, they are one of the most successful teams in European history. Les Bleues have qualified for every World Cup since 1991, and have reached the semifinals six times. They also won the silver medal at the 2011 World Cup, losing to Japan in the final.
At the Olympics, France has won two bronze medals (in 1996 and 2000) and one silver medal (in 1984). The 2016 Olympic Games will be their sixth appearance. France is currently ranked 6th in the world by FIFA.
The French women’s national team is coached by Olivier Echouafni and captained by Wendie Renard. Some of France’s most notable players include Marinette Pichon, Camille Abily, Louisa Nécib, and Élodie Thomis.
Germany
Germany has been a powerhouse in women’s soccer for many years, and the 2016 Olympics will be no different. The German team is currently ranked #2 in the world, behind only the United States. They are led by star player Birgit Prinz, who is considered one of the best players in the world. Prinz has won multiple World Cups and Olympic gold medals with Germany, and she will be looking to add another Olympic medal to her collection in 2016.
The German team is always a force to be reckoned with in international competition, and they will be looking to make a deep run in the 2016 Olympics. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they attempt to bring home another gold medal for Germany.
Sweden
Sweden has a long and successful history in women’s soccer, with their first international match taking place in 1988. They qualified for their first World Cup in 1991 and won bronze at the 1995 World Cup. Since then, they have qualified for every World Cup and Olympic Games. They reached the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup and won silver at the 2011 World Cup.
At the Olympics, Sweden has won bronze three times, in 2000, 2004, and 2008. Their best finish came in 2016 when they won silver.
China
China has been a powerhouse in women’s soccer for years, and they will be looking to add an Olympic gold medal to their collection this summer. They have qualified for every Olympics since 1980, and have won the Asian Cup four times.
Their most recent success came at the 2015 World Cup, where they finished in second place. They will be led by experienced veterans such as forward Wang Shanshan and midfielder Zhao Rong. They will be a force to be reckoned with in Rio.
when they lost to eventual champions the United States in the semifinals.
Players to watch on this Mexican team include veteran goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago, defender Kenti Robles, and forward Maribel Dominguez.
Brazil
Brazil has long been a powerhouse in the world of women’s soccer, and they will be looking to add an Olympic gold medal to their impressive list of accomplishments. The Brazilian team is led by superstar Marta, who is widely considered to be the best female player in the world. With a talented supporting cast that includes Formiga, Cristiane, and Andressa Alves, Brazil is a team that should not be taken lightly.