2024 Paris Olympics women’s soccer: Bracket, what to know as USWNT face Japan, Canada meet Germany

The women’s Olympic soccer knockout rounds have arrived and the United States will face familiar foe Japan, 2023 FIFA World Cup champions Spain will meet Colombia, reigning Olympic gold medalists Canada will play Germany, and tournament hosts France will play Brazil. The quarterfinals begin Saturday and the semifinals are set for Tuesday. The final two sides who advance out of the semis will compete in the gold medal game on Friday, Aug. 10.

Here is everything you need to know:

Quarterfinal schedule and how to watch

Saturday, August 3

• USWNT vs. Japan, 9  a.m. (USA)
• Spain vs. Colombia, 11 a.m. (Universo)
• Canada vs. Germany, 1 p.m. (Universo)
• France vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. (Universo)

Bracket

USWNT vs. Japan, Aug. 3 in Paris

USWNT: The Stars and Stripes have answered plenty of questions and silenced doubters with their dominant group stage run. Three group game wins under new head coach Emma Hayes and she has the team playing with confidence. The attack is the most lethal it’s been since before the 2023 World Cup, but now the pressure will be cranked higher, with knockouts their own type of beast and where anything can happen.

Japan: The program has rebuilt itself over the last cycle and had a respectable run during the 2023 World Cup. They’ve got just the right mix of balance on their roster with youth and prime players who are technical on the ball and clinical in transition. They seem to be getting stronger as the tournament goes on with six different goal scorers during the group stage, and that’s a tough team to stop during the knockouts. 

Spain vs. Colombia, Aug. 3 in Lyon

Spain: La Roja entered the Olympics in outstanding form and as the team to beat in Paris. They’ve lived up to the billing, led by Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati. The 2023 World Cup winners have been tested with teams bringing their top games against the world champions. They’ve won all their group games and have found the back of the net even without Salma Paralluelo converting — yet. 

Colombia: The Colombians squeezed into the elimination rounds as the best third-place group team, which means there is room for improvement for this squad. They’ll be grateful to have forward Mayra Ramirez back in the mix after she served a two-game suspension for a red card during Colombia’s 3-2 loss in their Olympic opener against France. They’ll need everyone if they want to make a run at the Europeans and deliver a huge upset.

Canada vs. Germany, Aug. 3 in Marseille

Canada: Even a six point deduction couldn’t stop Canada’s Olympic run. Plagued by a spying scandal after the coaching staff was caught using drones ahead of their group opener, the consequences handed down included suspensions and points deduction. The roster has banded together, not with a happy “rah-rah” vibe, but with an “in spite of” energy. They won all their group games and managed to break through to knockouts, and now they’re playing with something to prove, making them all the more dangerous.

Germany: The Germans will have their work cut out for them in the knockouts. They’ve managed well enough without midfielder Lena Oberdorf with group wins against Australia and Zambia but struggled against the United States. They’ll need another big performance by Jule Brand and Klara Buhl if they want to advance.

France vs. Brazil, Aug. 3 in Nantes

France: Where would Les Bleues be without Marie Antoinette Katoto? Possibly eliminated — let’s be frank. The tournament hosts had some nervous moments during the group stage against all three of their opponents, and Katoto came up in big moments for them. They’ve yet to have a full 90-minute performance but their two group wins were enough for the top seed, and now they face a limping Brazil side, so they need to deliver a definitive win to propel them through to the semis. 

Brazil: The Brazilians will be without their most iconic player, Marta, after picking up a red card for a high boot to the head during their group match against Spain. Brazil is another team that has had mixed performances during the Olympics, and now they’ll have to regroup for the knockouts and get more out of their attack if they’re to be taken seriously.

Semifinal and final bracket

All times U.S./Eastern

Tuesday, Aug. 6

• USA/Japan vs. Canada/Germany, 12 p.m. (Marseille)
• France/Brazil vs. Spain/Colombia, 3 p.m. (Lyon)

Thursday, Aug. 9

•  Third place match, 9 a.m. (Lyon)

Friday, Aug. 10

• USWNT/Japan/Canada/Germany vs. France/Brazil/Spain/Colombia, 12 p.m. (Paris)