WASHINGTON — The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will officially celebrate the start of the Summer Games on July 26, but some events will already be underway by that point.
The soccer tournament at the Olympic Games kicked off on Wednesday, July 24 — two days before the big celebration on the Seine River.
Why does soccer at the Olympics begin before the Opening Ceremony?
It all boils down to time.
Soccer competitions need more time to be completed than the roughly two weeks allotted for the Summer Games. The big tournaments, such as Copa America and the World Cup, take about a month to complete, so with less time budgeted for the Games, it makes sense to get a head start.
The men's soccer tournament will start on July 24 and run all the way to Aug. 9, while the women's tournament begins July 25 and ends Aug. 10. By doing so, the format ensures group matches, quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games for the Olympic soccer competition.
There are 16 teams in the men's tournament and 12 teams in the women's competition. Men's Olympic soccer is limited to players under 23, with each team allowed three over the age limit. There are no age rules for the women.
When does Team USA play soccer?
The U.S. men's team will play an opening match against host country France at 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 24. After that, the U.S. meet New Zealand (1 p.m. ET on July 27) and Guinea (July 30). The top two nations in each group advance to the quarterfinals.
US women's Olympic soccer team schedule
The U.S. women's national soccer team kicks off their quest for gold by facing Zambia on Thursday, July 25, at 3 p.m. Eastern. The USWNT then take on Germany on Sunday, July 28, at 3 p.m. Eastern. The U.S. will wrap up group stage against Australia on Wednesday, July 31, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
More sports starting before the Opening Ceremony
Soccer isn't the only sport getting a head start at the Paris Olympics. Men's rugby has matches starting on July 24 and women's handball begins on July 25.