The Olympics are considered a major tournament on the international women’s soccer calendar, with no age limit or additional staff restrictions, which means that the best players in the world regularly light the competition.
The United States is participating in the Olympics as one of the favorites, although they have a point to prove this year after 2016 resulted in a shock early exit and the first time without a medal of any color.
The strong Netherlands, Australia, Canada, Sweden and the United Kingdom will also try to have their own word. Each country will also feel a little better than the fact that Germany surprisingly failed to qualify.
The 12 competing countries are divided into three groups of four, with the group letters (EC) following immediately after the men’s tournament (AD). The top two in each will automatically qualify for the quarterfinals, and the top two third-place teams will also come through.
The Olympics are a big thing in international women’s football / SOPA Images / Getty Images
From that moment on, it will be a straight knockout console that culminates in the gold medal match. The two losing semifinalists will also have the opportunity to fight in a bronze final.
The first games start on July 21, with the final on August 5.
Here is an overview of all confirmed troops at the Olympics this summer …
Christine Sinclair goes to her fourth Olympics with Canada / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Stephanie Labbe (Rosengard), Kailen Sheridan (NJ / NY Gotham), Erin McLeod (Orlando Pride)
Defender: Kadeisha Buchanan (Lyon), Vanessa Gilles (Bordeaux), Shelina Zadorsky (Tottenham), Allysha Chapman (Houston Dash), Ashley Lawrence (PSG), Jayde Riviere (University of Michigan), Gabrielle Carle (Florida State University)
Midfielder: Jessie Fleming (Chelsea), Julia Grosso (University of Texas), Quinn (OL Reign), Desiree Scott (Kansas City), Sophie Schmidt (Houston Dash)
Forward: Janine Beckie (Man City), Adriana Leon (West Ham), Nichelle Prince (Houston Dash), Deanne Rose (University of Florida), Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns), Evelyne Viens (NJ / NY Gotham), Jordyn Huitema (PSG)
Goalkeeper Christiane Endler is Chile’s star name / Miguel Schincariol / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Christiane Endler (Lyon), Natalia Campos (Universidad de Chile), Antonia Canales (Universidad Catolica)
Defender: Carla Guerrero (University of Chile), Camila Saez (Rayo Vallecano), Daniela Pardo (Santiago Morning), Javiera Toro (Sevilla), Valentina Diaz (Colo-Colo), Fernanda Ramirez (University of Chile)
Midfielder: Francisca Lara (Le Havre), Yanara Aedo (Rayo Vallecano), Karen Araya (Santiago Morning), Yessenia Lopez (Universidad de Chile), Francisca Mardones (Santiago Morning), Nayadet Lopez (Santa Teresa), Yastin Jimenez (Colo-Colo)
Forward: Daniela Zamora (Djurgarden), Maria Jose Urrutia (Colo-Colo), Fernanda Pinilla (Universidad de Chile), Rosario Balmaceda (Santiago Morning), Javiera Grez (Colo-Colo)
Team GB’s Fran Kirby plays at the Olympics for the first time / Naomi Baker / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Ellie Roebuck (Man City), Carly Telford (Chelsea), Sandy MacIver (Everton)
Defender: Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Man City), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Steph Houghton (Man City), Demi Stokes (Man City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal), Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal)
Midfielder: Sophie Ingle (Chelsea), Kim Little (Arsenal), Jill Scott (Man City), Keira Walsh (Man City), Caroline Weir (Man City), Niamh Charles (Chelsea)
Forward: Lauren Hemp (Man City), Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Nikita Parris (Lyon), Georgia Stanway (Man City), Ellen White (Man City), Ella Toone (Man Utd)
Japan is always a threat in international tournaments / Koji Watanabe / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Sakiko Ikeda (Urawa Reds), Ayaka Yamashita (Tokyo Verdy), Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata)
Defender: Risa Shimizu (Tokyo Verdy), Saori Takarada (Washington Spirit), Saki Kumagai (Bayern Munich), Moeka Minami (Urawa Reds), Asato Miyagawa (Tokyo Verdy), Nanami Kitamura (Tokyo Verdy), Shiori Miyake (INAC Kobe)
Midfielder: Hina Sugita (INAC Kobe), Emi Nakajima (INAC Kobe), Narumi Miura (Tokyo Verdy), Jun Endo (Tokyo Verdy), Yuzuho Shiokoshi (Urawa Reds), Yui Hasegawa (AC Milan), Honoka Hayashi (AIK), Momoka Kinoshita (Tokyo Verdy)
Forward: Yuika Sugasawa (Urawa Reds), Mana Iwabuchi (Arsenal), Mina Tanaka (INAC Kobe), Yuka Momiki (OL Reign)
Brazil has never won an Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer / Zhizhao Wu / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Barbara (Kindermann), Aline Reiss (Granadilla), Leticia (Benfica)
Defender: Tamires (Corinthians), Erika (Corinthians), Poliana (Corinthians), Rafaelle (Palmeiras), Leticia Santos (Eintracht Frankfurt), Bruna Benites (Internacional), Jucinara (Levante)
Midfielder: Formiga (Sao Paulo), Marta (Orlando Pride), Debinha (North Carolina Courage), Andressinha (Corinthians), Julia Bianchi (Palmeiras), Duda (Sao Paulo), Angelina (OL Reign)
Forward: Andressa Alves (Roma), Bia Zaneratto (Palmeira), Ludmila (Atletico Madrid), Geyse (Madrid CFF), Giovana (Barcelona)
China most recently won an Olympic medal in women’s soccer in 1996 / Zhizhao Wu / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Ding Xuan (Shanghai Shengli), Peng Shimeng (Jiangsu Suning), Yang Yan (Sichuan), Zhu Yu (Wuhan Jianghan University)
Defender: Chen Qiaozchu (Meizhou Huijun), Li Mengwen (Jiangsu Suning), Lin Yuping (Meizhou Huijun), Lou Jiahui (Henan Jianye), Luo Guiping (Meizhou Huijun), Wang Xiaoxue (Jiangsu Suning), Wu Haiyan (Wuhan Jianghan University) Zhai Qingwei (Jiangsu Suning)
Midfielder: Li Qingtong (Meizhou Huijun), Liu Jing (Changchun Zhuoyue), Ma Jun (Jiangsu Suning), Shen Mengyu (Shanghai Shengli), Wang Yan (Wuhan Jianghan University), Xiao Yuyi (Shanghai Shengli), Yao Lingwei (Jiangsu Suning), Zhang Xin (Shanghai Shengli)
Forward: Long Chen (Shaanxi), Tang Jiali (Shanghai Shengli), Wang Shanshan (Tianjin Shengde), Wang Shuang (Wuhan Jianhan University), Wurigmula (Changchun Zhuoyue), Yang Man (Shandong Sports Lottery)
The Netherlands are still reigning European champions from 2017 / ANP Sport / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Sari van Veenendaal (PSV), Lise Kop (Ajax), Loes Geurts (Hacken)
Defender: Lynn Wilms (Twente), Stefanie van der Gragt (Ajax), Aniek Nouwen (Chelsea), Merel van der Dongen (Atletico Madrid), Sisca Folkertsma (Twente), Kika van Es (Twente), Dominique Janssen (Wolfsburg), Anouk Dekker (Montpellier)
Midfielder: Jill Roord (Wolfsburg), Sherida Spitse (Ajax), Danielle van de Donk (Lyon), Victoria Pelova (Ajax), Jackie Groenen (Man Utd), Inessa Kaagman (Brighton)
Forward: Shanice van de Sanden (Wolfsburg), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Lieke Martens (Barcelona), Lineth Beerensteyn (Bayern Munich), Renate Jansen (Twente)
Goalkeepers: Hazel Nali (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Ngambo Musole (ZESCO Utd), Catherine Musonda (Indeni Roses)
Defender: Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Esther Siamfuko (Queens Academy), Agness Musase (Green Buffaloes), Anita Mulenga (Green Buffaloes), Martha Tembo (Green Buffaloes), Lushomo Mweemba (Green Buffaloes), Vast Phiri (ZESCO Utd), Fikile Khosa (red arrows)
Midfielder: Mary Wilombe (Red Arrows), Ireen Lungu (Green Buffaloes), Esther Namukwasa (Indeni Roses), Evarine Susan Katongo (ZISD Queens), Avell Chitundu (ZESCO Utd), Hellen Chanda (Red Arrows)
Forward: Barbara Banda (Shanghai Shengli), Grace Chanda (Red Arrows), Hellen Mubanga (Zaragoza), Racheal Kundanaji (BIIK Kazygurt), Ochumba Oseke (Red Arrows)
Sam Kerr gives Australia a world-class attack class / David Lidstrom / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Lydia Williams (Arsenal), McKenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (Sandviken)
Defender: Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo), Alanna Kennedy (uncoupled), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Laura Brock (Guingamp), Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Aivi Luik (Sevilla), Courtney Nevin (Western Sydney Wanderers), Charlotte Grant (Rosengard)
Midfielder: Elise Kellond-Knight (Hammarby), Emily van Egmond (uncoupled), Tameka Yallop (West Ham), Chloe Logarzo (Kansas City), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Melbourne Victory)
Forward: Kyah Simon (PSV), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Hayley Raso (Everton), Emily Gielnik (Vittsjo), Mary Fowler (Montpellier)
New Zealand’s first goal is to escape a tough group / Greg Bowker / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Erin Nayler (uncoupled), Anna Leat (FFDP), Victoria Esson (Avaldsnes)
Defender: Abby Erceg (North Carolina Courage), Ali Riley (Orlando Pride), Anna Green (Lower Hutt City), Meikayla Moore (Liverpool), CJ Bott (Valerenga), Elizabeth Anton (FFDP), Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory), Gabi Rennie (Indiana University), Marissa van der Meer (FFDP)
Midfielder: Ria Percival (Tottenham), Annalie Longo (Melbourne Victory), Betsy Hassett (Stjarnan), Katie Bowen (Kansas City), Olivia Chance (Brisbane Roar), Daisy Cleverley (Georgetown University), Emma Rolston (Northern Lights)
Forward: Hannah Wilkinson (Duisburg), Paige Satchell (Canberra Utd), Michaela Robertson (Lower Hutt City)
Sweden is always a threat at international tournaments / Ricardo Nascimento / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Hedvig Lindahl (Atletico Madrid), Jennifer Falk (Hacken), Zecira Musovic (Chelsea)
Defender: Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Jonna Andersson (Chelsea), Hanna Glas (Bayern Munich), Amanda Ilestadt (Bayern Munich), Nathalie Bjorn (Rosengard), Emma Kullberg (Hacken)
Midfielder: Caroline Seger (Rosengard), Olivia Schough (Rosengard), Filippa Angeldal (Hacken), Julia Roddar (Washington Spirit), Hanna Bennison (Rosengard)
Forward: Kosovars Asllani (Real Madrid), Sofia Jakobsson (Bayern Munich), Stina Blackstenius (Hacken), Fridolina Rolfo (Wolfsburg), Lina Hurtig (Juventus), Anna Anvegard (Rosengard), Madelen Janogy (Hammarby), Rebecka Blomqvist (Wolfsburg)
This summer may be the last rodeo for some of America’s older stars / Daniela Porcelli / Getty Images
Goalkeepers: Adrianna Franch (Portland Thorns), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars), Jane Campbell (Houston Dash),
Defender: Abby Dahlkemper (Manchester City), Tierna Davidson (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Portland Thorns), Kelley O’Hara (Washington Spirit), Becky Sauerbrunn (Portland Thorns), Emily Sonnett (Washington Spirit), Casey Krueger (Chicago Red) ) Stars),
Midfielder: Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns), Rose Lavelle (OL Reign), Kristie Mewis (Houston Dash), Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage), Catarina Macario (Lyon),
Forward: Tobin Heath (uncoupled), Carli Lloyd (NJ / NY Gotham), Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride), Christen Press (uncoupled), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign), Lynn Williams (North Carolina Courage)
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