Each of the four men's Olympics 2024 Group B teams are interesting contenders in their own right. However, Argentina are expected to set the standard in Paris, ahead of Morocco, Ukraine and Iran.
Despite being eliminated at the group stage of the previous two Olympic games, Argentina have been tipped as dark horses to win gold this time around, while a strong Moroccan squad could pose the stiffest challenge to La Albiceleste for top spot.
Iraq, who finished fourth at the summer games in 2004, will be eager to upset the odds again while Ukraine, who won the Maurice Revello Tournament ahead of France and Italy in June among others, are shaping up as underdogs with bite.
Men's Olympics 2024 Group B prediction
Group Winners – Argentina
Argentina have been installed as odds-on favourites to claim first place in Group B and with a squad sprinkled heavily with burgeoning domestic talent and dusted with top-level experience, it would be something of a surprise if they didn’t enjoy top billing in the section.
With double-Olympic-gold-medal-winner Javier Mascherano at the helm, Argentina have taken a roster laced with genuine quality to Paris and judging by the calibre of player they have in tow, La Albiceleste seem determined to restore some pride this year having failed to emerge from the group stage in 2016 (Rio) and 2020 (Tokyo).
Mascherano has taken four World Cup winners to Paris as this Argentinean crop aim to emulate their compatriots' recent 2024 Copa America success. Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, Man City’s Julian Alvarez and MLS star Thiago Almada were all a part of Argentina’s triumph in Qatar.
Recent Man City recruit Claudio Echeverri, in-demand Boca Juniors schemer Ezequiel Fernandez and Fiorentina attacker Lucas Beltran have also been tipped to make a splash in Paris and Argentina’s abundance of firepower should allow them to progress deep into the tournament.
Runners up – Ukraine
Priced as long as 5/1 to win Group B, Ukraine might find it difficult to beat Argentina to first place in the section, however, Ruslan Rotan’s charges will back themselves to finish as the best of the rest behind the South American big hitters.
Ukraine booked their berth in Paris for their first-ever Olympic games through their excellent performances at the European U21 Championships last summer, when they were beaten semi-finalists and there is enough emerging talent on Rotan’s roster to go toe-to-toe with the more fancied sides again this summer.
The Ukrainians warmed up for their Olympic adventure by winning the Maurice Revello Tournament in France last month ahead of strong outfits like France, Italy and Ivory Coast. The stars of that success could shine again in Paris, while the inclusion of 24-year-old LASK Linz defender Maksym Talovyerov, should add some much-needed experience to a youthful backline.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Danylo Sikan, who has been capped seven times at senior level, is the biggest name in attack and he was part of the Ukraine team that won the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup. Ukraine’s follow-up success at the Maurice Revello Tournament suggests the conveyor belt of talent in the country is still running smoothly, so expect them to turn heads in Paris.
Third place – Morocco
Morocco qualified for the Olympics through their success at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations and many of the players involved in the charge for silverware last summer will represent Lions de l'Atlas in Paris.
However, the manager that masterminded their triumph last year, Issame Charaï, has since been replaced by a new head coach in Tarik Sektioui. The 47-year-old former FC Porto star has only been in charge since February and Morocco’s first Group B match against Argentina on 24 July will be just his fourth fixture in the job.
With PSG’s Achraf Hakimi on board as on over-aged inclusion and other Ligue 1-based players Benjamin Bouchouari (AS Saint Etienne), Yassine Kechta (Le Havre AC), Oussama Targhaline (Le Havre AC), Amir Richardson (Stade de Reims) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco) on the panel, Morocco have quality to call upon in Paris.
However, the uncertainty in the dugout is likely to be a factor with Sektioui short on time to get his ideas across. Morocco won one, drew one and lost one of their three matches under his instruction and it’s interesting to note that their defeat was suffered against Group B rivals Ukraine in March (1-0).
Eliminated – Iraq
Iraq came within a whisker of winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, though their flirtation with podium places was brief and their only appearance at the games since saw them eliminated at the group stage in 2016.
This year, a similar outcome looks probable for an Iraqi team that, on paper at least, lacks the quality to compete in Paris. Iraq earned their place at this summer’s games though their third-place finish at the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup, though they should find the going much tougher in France this month.
18 members of Radhi Shenaishil’s squad play their club football in Iraq and while Aymen Hussein – who has 27 goals in 76 appearances for the nation’s senior team – should be a handful up front, his supporting cast is uninspiring and we expect Iraq to bow out early.
Group B Winners – Potential quarter-final opponents
The winners of Group B are in line to face the runners up from Group A, which features France, USA, Guinea and New Zealand. With Les Bleus tipped to be the pace-setters there, USA look best-equipped to mount a strong challenge for second place and that could set up a mouth-watering clash between the Americans and Argentina in the quarter-finals, if Group A develops according to form.
