The men’s Olympic soccer tournament kicks off on July 24th, so it’s time to discuss the odds and the top teams.
In this article, I dissect the latest Paris 2024 men’s soccer betting odds and share my predictions for the competition.
Of course, besides the men’s event, there’s also the women’s iteration too. Feel free to check out our Olympic women’s soccer preview for more information.
Without further ado, let’s focus on the men’s tournaments, starting with the betting odds of the best Olympic betting sites.
2024 Paris Olympics Men’s Soccer Odds
Before venturing any further into Olympic men’s soccer predictions, we need to assess the odds. Here’s what BetUS has to offer:
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| France | +225 |
| Argentina | +260 |
| Spain | +275 |
| Morocco | +1,000 |
| Paraguay | +2,000 |
| Egypt | +2,200 |
| USA | +2,200 |
| Ukraine | +2,500 |
| Japan | +3,300 |
| Mali | +3,300 |
| Israel | +4,000 |
| Guinea | +5,000 |
| Uzbekistan | +6,600 |
| Iraq | +10,000 |
| New Zealand | +12,500 |
| Dominican Rep. | +25,000 |
Realistically speaking, there are only three nations in direct fight for the gold – France, Spain, and Argentina. The 2024 Paris men’s soccer betting odds confirm my expectations, as these three countries are favored by the bookies.
Keep in mind that the aforementioned odds represent the state of affairs just before the start of the tournament. They’re bound to change over the course of the competition.
Before we explore the top teams and a few sleepers, we should talk about the format.
2024 Paris Olympic Games Men’s Soccer Tournament Key Facts
- The men’s soccer event is scheduled to start on Wednesday, July 24th with the first round of group stage matches.
- The tournament features 16 teams and 2 phases – group stage and knockouts. The group stage features 4 groups with 4 teams in each.
- The best two teams from each group qualify for the knockouts.
- The knockout stage features a single-elimination bracket until a winner is decided.
- According to the most recent Paris 2024 men’s soccer odds, France, Argentina and Spain are the favorites coming into the event.
- The Paris 2024 men’s soccer tournament will be played across 7 French stadiums, including the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris.
Favorites for Paris 2024 Men’s Soccer Tournament
France is the heavy favorite coming into this one. The home advantage is bound to help the team, but the squad is the main reason why the hosts are expected to win.
The other two big guns are Argentina and Spain (recent Copa America and EURO 2024 champions). Let’s see why these teams are head and shoulders above the rest.
France (+225)
At +225, France is the slightest of favorites for winning the Olympic gold. A part of that has to come down to the fact they’re the host nation. However, another noteworthy fact is the sheer quality of the squad.
At the forefront we have Michael Olise, a pacey winger playing for Bayern, and Castello Lukeba, a 21-year-old defensive anchor already worth 40 million. And that’s just the tip of the French talent iceberg, mind you.
🚨🇫🇷 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Thierry Henry's final squad for Olympic football with France! ✅
The attack is particularly strong. 🔝⚡️ pic.twitter.com/39I6KkaQAD
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 8, 2024
France is in group A with USA, Guinea and New Zealand. They shouldn’t have any issues qualifying for the playoffs and can even afford to give multiple fringe players some minutes.
Once the French are in the knockouts, I expect this team to show its full might. The overall quality and depth of the favorites would allow them to pick different lineups based on the opposition and find game-changers at the bench if the going gets tough.
If you add the home advantage to the mix, France is definitely the team to beat in Paris 2024.
Argentina (+260)
Mascherano’s Argentina looks absolutely frightening and will look to build on the recent Copa America gold. The Argentinians have a rich Olympic history when it comes to football too.
They won the gold medals in Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008. Since then, though, they haven’t really been at their best. On the bright side, a brand-new post-Messi generation promises big things.
Messi will not go to the Olympics.
Argentina's Olympic team head coach, Javier Mascherano, has already selected the squad for the Games in Paris.
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— ProPlay Media (@JustFootball23) July 3, 2024
The most experienced players are definitely Otamendi and Julian Alvarez. Some of the most resounding youngsters in the Argentinian Olympic team are Botafogo’s Thiago Almada and River Plate’s Claudio Echeverri.
Even though they’re quite packed across the pitch, Argentina lost to Guinea just last week. It goes to show you they’re far from unbeatable and will have to stay on their toes to clinch one of the medals.
I feel like Argentina is at least a step behind France, so the odds are not too tempting.
Spain (+275)
Can the Spaniards win another gold following their EURO 2024 title-winning campaign? Well, the stats say they can. However, you have to understand they’re bringing in their proper U23 team, with just two 24-year-olds in Abel Ruiz and Juan Miranda.
🗼 PARIS, WE’RE HERE!
🇪🇸 The Olympic football team arrive in the French capital
🧐 Can you see a new face among them?#UnSueñoCompartido pic.twitter.com/zf8Dn2uhTX
— Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) July 20, 2024
There’s no Dani Olmo, no Rodri, no experienced players to lift the team in times of dire need. There’s no Lamine Yamal, Gavi, or Pedri, all of whom would’ve been a massive help in Paris. Playing another tournament right after the EURO is, obviously, too much to ask.
Spain’s young generation is fantastic, but I feel their Olympic team might be a victim of their success at the EUROs. The best youngsters played a key role in this one, so they won’t be around for Paris 2024.
The team is still good enough to challenge for the medals but lacks the quality and experience required for a title run.
Best Sleeper Picks for Paris 2024 Men’s Soccer Tournament
It doesn’t take a genius to realize France, Argentina, and Spain are the heavy favorites for the gold. However, if you prefer high risk, high reward bets, there are a few sleeper picks you need to know about.
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Morocco might just have the biggest start of the entire tournament – PSG’s Achraf Hakimi. The 25-year-old is going to be the team’s captain and a force to be reckoned with on the right defensive end. He’s equally good on both defense and attack and is expected to run circles around the opposition in the group stage.
Morocco is in group B with Ukraine, Iraq, and Argentina. The Argentinians are, of course, the favorites to snatch the top spot. However, Morocco won’t be far behind them, thanks to the likes of Soufiane Rahimi and Achraf Hakimi. It will be interesting to see how they’ll square off in the playoffs.
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Is Team USA really a dark horse coming into the Olympics? Well, they have quite a few things going for them. For starters, they have a ton of experience in Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman, two exceptional defenders who’ll do their best to control the opposition’s progression.
Plus, the USMNT doesn’t lack young studs either. The likes of Kevin Paredes and Gianluca Busio spark medal hopes for the Americans.
This team will be eager to deliver a strong performance after failing to shine in Copa America 2024. Going out in the group stage was disappointing for all US soccer fans, so the team owns them a good run at the Olympics.
These guys can reach the semis if they regain their confidence. Beating France or Argentina might be a step too far, but you never know in knockout tournaments.
Men’s Soccer Tournament at 2024 Paris Olympics Betting Pick
This one is quite difficult to predict. Three top-tier teams packed with young talents will be at it right from the off. You could find arguments for Spain and Argentina, too, but my money is on the French.
They have both quality and depth, as well as the home advantage. Plus, Thierry Henry is not to be taken for granted either, despite his commentary comedy at CBS Sports. I reckon he’ll lead his men to the Olympic gold and make the nation proud.
