Paris Olympics: New Zealand draw France, United States in men's football group

New Zealand have landed in the same group as hosts France and United States in men's football at the Paris Olympics in July/August.

The 'OlyWhites' qualified for the Games last September, when they overwhelmed Fiji 9-0 at the Oceania U23 tournament at Auckland, booking their attendance at their third Olympics, after making the quarter-finals at Tokyo 2020.

Second in FIFA men's rankings, France have qualified as hosts, but failed to progress from group stages at Tokyo and did not qualify at the previous five Olympics. They won the gold medal at Los Angeles 1984.

United States have not contested the last three Olympics and their best placing was fourth at Sydney 2000, where they lost to Spain in the semis and Chile for the bronze medal. 

The Americans sealed their inclusion at Paris with victory at the CONCACAF U20 championship, where they beat Dominican Republic 6-0 in the final.

The fourth team in the group will come from playoff between the fourth-ranked teams from Africa - Guinea - and Asia, yet to be decided.

More to come

New Zealand have landed in the same group as hosts France and United States in men's football at the Paris Olympics in July/August.

The 'OlyWhites' qualified for the Games last September, when they overwhelmed Fiji 9-0 at the Oceania U23 tournament at Auckland, booking their attendance at their third Olympics, after making the quarter-finals at Tokyo 2020.

Second in FIFA men's rankings, France have qualified as hosts, but failed to progress from group stages at Tokyo and did not qualify at the previous five Olympics. They won the gold medal at Los Angeles 1984.

United States have not contested the last three Olympics and their best placing was fourth at Sydney 2000, where they lost to Spain in the semis and Chile for the bronze medal. 

The Americans sealed their inclusion at Paris with victory at the CONCACAF U20 championship, where they beat Dominican Republic 6-0 in the final.

The fourth team in the group will come from playoff between the fourth-ranked teams from Africa - Guinea - and Asia, yet to be decided.

More to come

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