2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil Aug 05-21,2016 - Football kicks off Games before opening ceremony

 

Rio 2016 officially gets under way with the opening ceremony on Friday August 05,2016 - but did you know football kicks off the action two days earlier?

The first group stages of the women's tournament take place on Wednesday - so-called day -2 - with Sweden facing South Africa, while the men's group stages start on Thursday, when Iraq play Denmark (both 17:00 BST)

With 16 men's and 12 women's teams, there are 58 matches to get through. There is football being played on 12 days of the tournament, with six rest days.

Men's groups

• Group A: Brazil, South Africa, Iraq, Denmark
• Group B: Sweden, Colombia, Nigeria, Japan
• Group C: Fiji, South Korea, Mexico, Germany
• Group D: Honduras, Algeria, Portugal, Argentina

Women's groups

• Group E: Brazil, China, Sweden, South Africa
• Group F: Canada, Australia, Zimbabwe, Germany
• Group G: USA, New Zealand, France, Columbia

Who are the favourites?

Hosts Brazil are the firm favourites to take the men's title after the disappointment of losing in the final at London 2012.

Defending champions Mexico could prove a difficult opponent again, while Germany also have a strong team.

In the women's event, the USA won gold in 2012 and the World Cup last year, while the European trio of France, Germany and Sweden will also be strong.