With Euro 2016 now consigned to the history books, we look ahead to the Olympics in Brazil. Since every team is only allowed to bring three players over 23 years of age, this is a great opportunity to watch some of the best young players in the world.
The qualifying system ensures that the field is not loaded with teams from Europe and South America, and fans will get a rare chance to see teams like South Africa, Japan, and Fiji.
Group A Preview:
Host nation Brazil will be heavily favoured in Group A, which also includes Denmark, Iraq, and South Africa. Brazil will feature exciting young attackers like Gabriel Barbosa, new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus, and Fred.
They also have established stars from the world’s biggest clubs, like Neymar, Rafinha, and Marquinhos, although Douglas Costa was forced to withdraw due to injury.
The second spot is wide open, as none of the other teams are clear favourites, but Iraq are expected to go through because of their abundance of international experience.
Picks to Advance: Brazil and Iraq
3 Players to Watch:
1. Gabriel Barbosa (Brazil)
The Santos forward has already been compared to Neymar and drawn interest from every big club in Europe. This tournament could be his chance to break out on the global stage.
2. Ali Adnan (Iraq)
The attack-minded left back was named the 2013 Asian Young Footballer of the Year. He is a very talented young player, and has performed well in his few chances for Udinese.
3. Viktor Fischer (Denmark)
Fischer’s career started with a lot of promise, and he was linked with a move to Manchester United as a teenager before deciding on Ajax instead. Unfortunately, the winger’s progress was slowed by injury problems, but this year he will move to recently promoted Middlesbrough and hopefully show why he was so highly regarded.
Group B Preview:
Nigeria are the favourites in Group B, with a number of young players who are both talented and experienced on the international stage. The squad will also feature Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who will provide veteran leadership and stabilise the defence behind a dynamic attack.
Colombia and Sweden both have little experience and few known players, so look for Japan’s more established team to go through to the knockout stages, led by new Arsenal signing, Takuma Asano.
Picks to Advance: Nigeria and Japan
3 Players to Watch:
1. Takuma Asano (Japan)
All eyes will be on Asano, the 21-year-old forward with lightning pace who was signed by Arsenal after Arsene Wenger missed out on many of his top choices. A strong performance at the tournament would help his case to be included in Arsenal’s first team this season.
2. Sadiq Umar (Nigeria)
Umar will have a chance to show why he is among the most highly regarded young players in Africa, after Manchester City refused to release Kelechi Iheanacho for the Olympics. The AS Roma striker is a big, physical presence who will be very tough for young defenders to mark.
3. Marlos Moreno (Colombia)
After sealing a dream move to Manchester City, the young attacker obviously has incredible talent, and will be crucial to Colombia if they are to make it out of their group.
Group C Preview:
Reigning champions Mexico will again have one of the tournament’s strongest teams, led by Oribe Peralta, who scored both of Mexico’s goals in the 2012 gold-medal match.
Every player in the squad plays in Mexico’s domestic league, except for Erick Torres, who plays for nearby Houston Dynamo in MLS.
Germany haven’t been to the Olympics since 1988, despite the success of their senior team, but have many talented young players.
Son Heung-Min will lead a seasoned South Korea side who will also challenge for a spot in the next round. Fiji will make their first appearance at the Games, and not much is expected from them. However, after Iceland’s Euro run, anything is possible.
Picks to Advance: Germany and Mexico
3 Players to Watch:
1. Hirving Lozano (Mexico)
Lozano has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United, with Jose Mourinho known to be a huge admirer of the 20-year-old. The Pachuca winger will be joined by four of his club teammates at the Olympics.
2. Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
Heung-Min was not great in his first year at Tottenham, but he started to play well towards the end of the season, regaining the form that made him a star at Bayer Leverkusen. He is the best player on South Korea’s senior team, and the Olympic team will rely on him to carry them through the group stage.
3. Julian Brandt (Germany)
Julian Brandt just missed out on Germany’s Euro roster, and despite being just 20-years-old, he is a skilled and athletic winger who surely has a bright future ahead of him.
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Group D Preview:
Argentina almost pulled out of the tournament after manager Gerardo Martino resigned in the midst of issues within their federation, but they will compete in the Olympics after all. The team doesn’t include any established stars, but the attack led by Sevilla’s Luciano Vietto should produce plenty of goals.
Portugal’s roster includes Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori and exciting Udinese midfielder bruno Fernandes. Algeria and Honduras don’t feature any established players and are considered long shots, but both performed well in qualifiers.
Picks to Advance: Argentina and Portugal
3 Players to Watch:
1. Giovanni Simeone (Argentina)
Plenty of eyes will be on Giovanni, son of Atletico Madrid manager and former Argentinian International Diego Simeone. The promising River Plate forward is only 21 years of age and will be eager to impress, especially after finishing as top scorer at the Under-20 2015 South American Youth Football Championship
2. Ruben Neves (Portugal)
Neves is the subject of big-money transfer rumours, but for now the midfielder remains at FC Porto. His tremendous passing ability will be vital to Portugal in this tournament.
3. Angel Correa (Argentina)
Correa had a good season with Atletico Madrid, and earned his place in Diego Simeone’s future plans. The tricky midfielder will be pivotal to Argentina’s success in the Olympic games, especially after West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini pulled out through injury.
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