Though its status is under pressure, the Olympic football tournament remains the women’s game’s biggest prize after the World Cup and eyes are increasingly being drawn to Paris as this summer’s jamboree nears.
The path to gold will narrow significantly by the end of February as all but two of the dozen qualifiers – known as a series of eliminators – play out across the globe.
Five countries are already inked in: hosts France, defending champions Canada, four-time gold medallists USA, plus Brazil and Colombia.
Five nations from Europe, Asia and Oceania will now book their places, with Africa’s contenders reduced to four, from which two will qualify.
While arguably the most intriguing tie is in Asia, where Japan face North Korea, much of the focus will be on Europe where world champions Spain must beat Netherlands in the
