This year’s football Olympic tournament has taken shape and has started on Thursday, July 22. The event will end on Saturday, August 7.

There are 7 venues that will be used:

• Nissan Stadium
• Tokyo Stadium
• Olympic Stadium
• Saitama Stadium
• Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
• Miyagi Stadium
• Sapporo Dome

Spain is the odds favourite to win this year’s gold medals. La Roja’s odds to champion Olympics are 3.50 (+250 American; 5/2 Fractional). Brazil, France, and Germany are top picks on the list as well. Brazil’s odds equal 4.00 (+300; 3/1), France — 5.50 (+450; 9/2) and Germany — 7.50 (+650; 13/2). Mexico is seen as an underdog at the tournament and is priced at 34.00 (+3300; 33/1)

The odds of top picks winning men’s Olympic medals of any kind are as follows:

• Spain — 1.31 (-325; 4/13)
• Brazil — 1.40 (-250; 2/5)
• France — 1.59 (-170; 10/17)

The underdog’s odds are 13.00 (+1200; 12/1).

Group A: France, Mexico, Japan, South Africa

France and Mexico are the favourites to qualify to the knockout stages from Group A.

France U23 haven’t won any Olympic medals in 37 years since they last won the 1984 gold medals. Florian Thauvin and Andre-Pierre Gignac are the overaged players being called up. Timothee Pembele is a player to watch out for: this PSG youngster is known for his dribbling and excellent passing abilities. He had 1 goal in 3 appearances last season. France's odds to qualify from the group stage are 1.71 (-140; 5/7).

Mexico won the Olympics gold medal in 2012 after a dramatic 2-1 win over Brazil at Wembley Stadium. The Mexicans have been convincing ahead of this tournament. They’ve won 4 of their last 5 matches and kept 3 clean sheets. Guillermo Ochoa is the overaged player being called up. The odds to qualify from the group stage are 4.50 (+350; 7/2).

Japan hosts the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, so they didn’t need to play any qualifiers to feature in this tournament. Being the host of the Olympics gives you an automatic spot. Takefuso Kubo is the young player everyone should take note of. The 20-years-old Real Madrid winger is very talented and could take over the Olympics headlines. Kubo scored 20 goals while playing for the U15 team. Japan’s odds to advance to the knockout stage are 3.75 (+275; 11/4).

South Africa has the least odds in the group to advance to the next stage. The current odds are 17.00 (+1600; 16/1). Taking part in the 2016 Olympics, they exited the tournament from the group stage with 2 draws and 1 loss. Luther Singh is an exciting talent you shouldn’t miss out on. He won the golden boot at the 2017 U20 AFCON. Ronwen Williams and Abbubaker Mobara are overaged players representing Bafana Bafana.

Group B: South Korea, Honduras, New Zealand, Romania

South Korea and Romania are the odds favourites to proceed from the group stage.

South Korea won the Bronze medal at the 2012 men’s football Olympics held in London. The key player to watch out for is Lee Kang-In. Lee is an attacking midfielder who plays for Valencia at club level. Lee came into the limelight during the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup. He scored 2 goals, dished out 4 assists and led the team to fourth place. Hwang Ui-Jo is the overaged player representing them. South Korea’s odds are 2.15 (+115; 23/20).

Romania also has a high chance of progressing from the group stage. Their odds are 3.10 (+210; 21/10). The young player to watch out for is Tudor Baluta. Tudor is a defensive midfielder who scored a goal in the win against Croatia. The overaged player called up is Andrei Ciobanu.

New Zealand is yet to win an Olympic medal. They’ve qualified for two out of the last three competitions. They have another shot to win a medal at this year’s tournament. Liberato Cacace is the player to watch out for. Born to Italian parents, Liberato is New Zealand’s number 1 left-back. Chris Wood is the veteran being called up. The current odds are 5.00 (+400; 4/1).

Honduras clinched their Olympics spot after a 2-1 victory over the USA in the semi-final round of the Olympics qualifiers. Rigoberto Rivas and Denil Maldonado are key players to watch out for. Honduras has low chances of qualifying for the knockouts. Their odds are 7.00 (+600; 6/1).

Group C: Spain, Argentina, Egypt, Australia

Spain’s U23 Olympic squad is fascinating. Key players include Unai Simon, Eric Garcia, Pau Torres, Pedr, Dani Olmo and Oyarzabal. This set of players represented the Spanish side at the 2020 Euros where they reached the semi-finals. La Roja has two medals, a 1992 gold medal and a 2000 silver medal. Pedri is a youngster you should keep on your radar at the tournament. Spain’s odds to top the group and advance are 1.63 (-160; 5/8).

Argentina enters the competition in good form after winning their friendlies against Denmark and Saudi Arabia. El Albicelestes have multiple Olympics medals, 1 silver medal and 2 gold medals. Though this year’s squad strength isn’t up to Argentina’s standard, they can pull something off. Thiago Almada is the player to watch out for. Jeremias Ledesma is the overaged player called up. El Albicelestes odds are 2.90 (+190; 19/10).

Egypt won their friendlies ahead of this tournament. They sealed their Olympics spot after a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. Most of the players who represent the Pharaohs are from the domestic league. Ramadan Sobhi is a prospect to watch out for in this squad. Veteran defender Ahmed Hegazi has been called up by Shawky Gharib. Egypt’s odds are 11.00 (+1000; 10/1).

Australia qualified for the Olympics after a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan. They failed to qualify for two consecutive Olympics, 2012 London and 2016 Rio. Harry Souttar, 22-years-old defender, is a player to watch out for. Veteran Striker Mitchell Duke is the overaged player representing the Australians. Australia’s odds to progress from the group stage are at 13.00 (+1200; 12/1).

Group D: Brazil, Germany, Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia

Brazil is the home of many talents. They’ve produced some of the best players football has ever witnessed, which Includes Pele, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo Nazario etc. They have the most football Olympics medals in history, including 1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. Brazil has won at least one medal from the last three Olympics they’ve participated in.

The Selecao are favourites to win this year’s tournament with odds of 4.00 (+300; 3/1). Key players participating include Richarlison, Gabriel Martinelli, Douglas Luiz and Dani Alves. Gabriel Martinelli is a talent to watch out for in this squad. 38-years-old football star Dani Alves will be leading Brazil at the Olympics. This veteran has the most trophies in the history of football. Brazil’s odds to top the group and reach the knockout stages is 1.69 (-145; 20/29).

Germany as a whole has won three Olympics medals, 2 silver and 1 bronze. East Germany won the 1980 silver medal, West Germany won the 1988 bronze medal while modern-day Germany won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Nadiem Amiri is the player to watch out for in the team. Amiri was key for Germany’s title win at the 2017 U21 Euro Championship. Max Kruse and Maximilian Arnold are the other overaged players representing Germany at the tournament. Germany’s odds are 2.45 (+145; 29/20).

Ivory Coast is relying on their talents from European top leagues for the Olympics. They are the underdogs of group D. Ivory Coast’s odds equal 11.00 (+1000; 10/1) to advance from the group stage. Amad Diallo is the youngster look out for. The winger moved from Atlanta to Manchester United last season. Eric Bailly is the senior player to watch out for in this squad.

Saudi Arabia is making its appearance at the Olympics after 25 years. Improvement in the Saudi Professional league has had its effect on the national team. The squad players were selected from the domestic league. Saudi’s odds are at 21.00 (+2000; 20/1).

Tokyo 2021 Olympic men’s football tournament schedule and timetable (GMT+0)

22.07.2021

07:30 a.m.: Egypt — Spain

08:00 a.m.: Mexico — France

08:00 a.m.: New Zealand — Republic of Korea

08:30 a.m.: Ivory Coast — Saudi Arabia

10:30 a.m.: Argentina — Australia

11:00 a.m.: Japan — South Africa

11:00 a.m.: Honduras — Romania

11:30 a.m.: Brazil — Germany

25.07.2021

07:30 a.m.: Egypt — Argentina

08:00 a.m.: France — South Africa

08:00 a.m.: New Zealand — Honduras

08:30 a.m.: Brazil — Ivory Coast

10:30 a.m.: Australia — Spain

11:00 a.m.: Japan — Mexico

11:00 a.m.: Romania — Republic of Korea

11:30 a.m.: Saudi Arabia — Germany

28.07.2021

08:00 a.m.: Germany — Ivory Coast

08:00 a.m.: Saudi Arabia — Brazil

08:30 a.m.: Romania — New Zealand

08:30 a.m.: Republic of Korea — Honduras

11:00 a.m.: Spain — Argentina

11:00 a.m.: Australia — Egypt

11:30 a.m.: South Africa — Mexico

11:30 a.m.: France — Japan

31.07.2021

08:00 a.m.: Quarter-final 1

09:00 a.m.: Quarter-final 2

10:00 a.m.: Quarter-final 3

11:00 a.m.: Quarter-final 4

03.08.2021

08:00 a.m.: Semi-final 1

11:00 a.m.: Semi-final 2

06.08.2021

11:00 a.m.: Third-place fixture

07.08.2021

11:30 a.m.: Final

What to expect of 2021 Olympic football tournament?

A lot is expected at this year’s tournament.

Spain’s squad is exciting and you can’t fathom the performances that will roll out. Brazilian team is the defending champion, and they have a squad that can compete for the gold medal. Can’t wait to see the upsets underdogs will cause. Every men’s Olympic summer tournament has always been different from the previous ones and this year won’t be an exception!

So join the craze and follow betting tips on football Olympics on Takebet!