5 favorites to win gold in men's soccer at Paris Olympics 2024

Men's soccer is underway at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, and there are five clear favorites to leave the French capital with a gold medal.

There is still plenty of soccer to be played this summer even in the aftermath of Copa America 2024 and Euro 2024. Some of the world's most prolific soccer nations, including Spain, France, and Argentina, are competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics for a chance at more international glory. The reigning gold medalists, Brazil, failed to qualify for this summer's Olympics, paving the way for a new winner in men's soccer.

Here's a breakdown of the five best teams at 2024 Paris Olympics that could take home gold.

5 favorites to win gold in men's soccer at Paris Olympics 2024

5. USA

Realistically, the USA cannot compete with European giants France or Spain, this summer, but they can get their second-best ever finish in men's soccer at the Olympics if they simply make it out of the group stage. The best players on the American roster will have to control the competition, though, if the USA want to survive a group with France, New Zealand, and Guinea.

With veterans Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman at the back, playmakers in the middle, including Tanner Tessmann, and exciting goalscorer Duncan McGuire at striker, the Stars and Stripes have plenty of pieces that can actually take the USA far at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

4. Morocco

Morocco are one of the tournament's dark horses. Beyond the big three of France, Spain, and Argentina, Morocco are easily the next best squad at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. If the Atlas Lions can grind out results against the competition's best, then they could walk away with their first ever Olympic medal in men's soccer.

PSG's Achraf Hakimi will lead both his team and his backline this summer while Monaco's 19-year-old promising winger, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Villarreal's Ilias Akhomach, and Al-Ain's Soufiane Rahimi will look to create some magic up top.

3. Argentina

Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi, and Geronimo Rulli, three members of Argentina's Copa America 2024 winning squad, are also representing their country in Paris this summer. As good as the three players have been for La Albiceleste, they will not be able to carry their squad to a gold medal.

If Argentina want to take home gold, they will need their U-23 players to step up. Santiago Hezze and Cristian Medina will have a lot to do in the midfield while Giuliano Simeone and Lucas Beltran pitch in up top. Still, it ultimately might not be enough to get past Spain or France.

2. Spain

Although the best young Spanish player in the world, Lamine Yamal, will not participate at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Spain still have plenty of talent to get them to a gold medal match. Club teammates Fermin Lopez, Pau Cubarsi, and Eric Garcia are three of Barcelona's up and coming stars, and are more than ready for the bright lights after their last season in LaLiga.

Villarreal's Alex Baena is also one of the most underrated playmakers in the league, recording the most assists (14) in the 2023/24 LaLiga season.

Plus, it does not hurt that Spain were sorted into an easy group at the Olympics, featuring the Dominican Republic, Egypt, and Uzbekistan, that they will surely advance beyond without too many issues.

1. France

It is hard to go against the host nation for the team with the best chances of taking home a gold medal in Olympic men's soccer. Led by Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, Thierry Henry, France have a great blend of youth and experience that will carry them far in the tournament.

Alexandre Lacazette, coming off a 19-goal season for Lyon, is one of the best finishers in the entire competition. Alongside him is Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta, who had a career-best Premier League season with 16 goals. The veterans will guide Les Bleus' young talent, including Michael Olise and Manu Kone, all the way to a gold medal.