The Olympic Games, which celebrate athletic excellence and international unity every four years, is almost upon us once more.

Football, or soccer as it’s more commonly called here in Australia, has been a key part of the Olympics since 1900 for men and 1996 for women.

It showcases skill, teamwork, and national spirit on a global stage.

As we inch closer to the Paris 2024 Olympics progress, here’s everything you need to know in regards to Australia, football and the Olympics…

Who’s on the Australian Olympics team for football this year?

The women’s team, The Matildas, are officially heading to the Olympics this year. On the team are:

• Stephanie Catley
• Emily van Egmond
• Mackenzie Arnold
• Ellie Carpenter
• Caitlin Foord
• Alanna Kennedy
• Clare Polkinghorne
• Tameka Yallop
• Katrina Gorry
• Cortnee Vine
• Clare Hunt
• Kaitlyn Torpey
• Clare Wheeler
• Hayley Raso
• Kyra Cooney-Cross
• Teagan Micah
• Michelle Heyman
• Mary Fowler

Sadly, due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Matildas Captain Sam Kerr will not compete at the games this year.

Tony Gustavsson will be the head coach of the Australian team for the Paris Olympics.

As for the men’s team, The Olyroos, they failed to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

How is Australia doing at the Paris 2024 Olympics in football?

Watch this space for this year’s results.

How many Olympic medals has Australia won previously for football?

Sadly, Australia has never won an Olympic medal for football. The closest we ever got was in 1992 where the men’s team just missed out on Bronze after losing to Ghana, 0-1.

Author

Bec Milligan

Senior Content Producer

Bec Milligan is a Senior Content Producer for The Australian Women’s Weekly, covering all things celebrity, royals, film and television, health, beauty, and pop culture.

Bec graduated from the University of Technology Sydney with a Bachelor of Communications (majoring in Journalism), and then began working at the men’s publication DMARGE where she was the resident entertainment writer who occasionally dipped her toe into the travel and fashion realms.

In her spare time, you’ll find Bec either dancing around in her kitchen singing along to Taylor Swift, enjoying a charcuterie board and Negroni Sbagliato (with prosecco in it), or curled up with a good book.