Brazil will compete in Group C with Japan, Nigeria, and Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Recent Form…
Since their disappointing exit after the group stage at last year’s World Cup, Brazil has played to a 11W-4L record under new Head Coach Arthur Elias. Brazil’s four losses were 2-0 to Canada and 2-0 to Japan at the end of 2023, 1-0 to the United States in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup Final in March, and to Canada in a penalty shootout (4-2) after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation of the SheBelieves Cup semifinal. Brazil won one of each pair of fall friendlies against Canada and Japan, and beat Japan again on penalties after playing to a draw in April during the SheBelieves Cup.
Previous Olympic Appearances
Brazil has qualified for every Olympic women’s football tournament to date. In 2004 and 2008, they reached the final, but both times left the games with a silver medal, losing to the United States.
In 1996, 2000, and 2016, Brazil made it to a semifinal of the knockout stage, losing both the semifinal and bronze medal match on all three occasions. In 1996, an 8 team field saw the top two teams of each group advance, putting Brazil, who finished second in their group below Norway, against China. Brazil would lose the semifinal match 3-2 to China and again face Norway in the bronze medal match. After a 2-2 draw in the group stage, Brazil fell to Norway 2-0.
The Sydney games in 2000 again comprised of 8 teams. Brazil lost 1-0 to the United States in the semifinal before suffering a 2-0 loss to Germany in the bronze medal match.
In 2016, during their home Olympics, Brazil would win their group, beating China and Sweden before drawing South Africa. The quarterfinals were played to a 0-0 draw, with Brazil advancing over Australia 7-6 in a penalty shootout. The team would then lose to Sweden in the semifinal 4-3 on penalties after yet another 0-0 draw. In the bronze medal match, Brazil lost to Canada 2-1.
Most recently, at Tokyo 2020, Brazil faced eventual gold medalists Canada in the quarterfinals, losing 4-3 on penalties after playing to a 0-0 draw.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Lorena, Tainá
Defenders: Rafaelle, Antonia, Tarciane, Thaís Ferreira, Yasmim, Tamires
Midfielders: Duda Sampaio, Vitória Yaya, Ana Vitória
Forwards: Adriana, Marta, Gabi Nunes, Gabi Portilho, Ludmila, Jheniffer, Kerolin
Alternates: Luciana, Lauren, Angelina, Priscila
Coach: Arthur Elias
Player to Watch
The 2024 Paris Olympics will be six-time FIFA Women’s Player of the Year and sporting icon Marta’s final international tournament. After tearing her ACL in March 2022, many questioned if Marta would be able to make a comeback, but after a flying start to 2024 with the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League, Marta has left no room for speculation. Her passion is unwavering, and though Marta has moved into roles higher up the field in recent years, her skill on the ball and ability to create chances for her teammates remains world class. Whether she is on the pitch for 90 minutes or 10, she will make an impact and galvanize those around her.
In Tokyo, Marta became the first athlete to score in five consecutive Olympic Games. Paris will give her the opportunity to further cement herself in world football history by making it six. The Paris games will also serve as Marta’s final opportunity to inspire the world and lead Brazil to the gold medal that has remained just out of reach for her entire career.
Young Player to Watch
When Tarciane signed with the Houston Dash, just over a month before her 21st birthday, the transfer fee to Corinthians was the largest in the history of Brazilian women’s football. The centerback won the South American U-20 championship in 2022, and helped Brazil to a best-ever third place finish at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup the same year. On the run to bronze, Tarciane scored a penalty against Colombia to win the quarterfinal, and two goals in the bronze medal match (including another penalty), in Brazil’s 4-1 win over the Netherlands. These three goals won her the Bronze Ball of the tournament, and the following month Tarciane was called up for friendlies with the full senior women’s team.
Since making her debut, Tarciane has proven comfortable in the center of a back three against top opponents the likes of Canada, Japan, Mexico, and the United States. It also seems that she is stepping up to take Marta’s spot as Brazil’s go-to penalty taker, scoring a penalty in the 22’ against Canada in April 2024. She appeared in both of Brazil’s penalty shootouts during the SheBelieves Cup, converting her chance on both occasions.
While she may not be one of the flashier athletes leading the attack, Tarciane will likely be a key piece to any success Brazil has in this tournament.