2024 Olympics – Football: Three things to know about New Zealand, the Blues' group opponents

If the name New Zealand makes rugby more shudder than football, Thierry Henry’s French team shouldn’t underestimate the Kiwis. The Kiwis will certainly have to do without their best players, but the Oceania nation can draw on their Olympic experience to spring an upset. Here are three things to know about the Blues’ final group stage opponent, on Tuesday 30 July in Marseille.

Quarter-finals at the last Olympic Games

Unlike Guinea, whose last appearance at the Olympics dates back to 1968, New Zealand have started to make regular appearances at the Games. The Olliewaites have played in three of the past four Olympics, and their best result came in the last edition: a quarter-final at Tokyo 2021, with the Oceania team then led by star player Chris Wood, who will miss France.

Depriving her of her star Chris Wood..

Are you missing just one creature, and everything is empty? Chris Wood, New Zealand's all-time leading scorer (34 goals in 74 caps), will not be at this year's Olympics. The 32-year-old striker, who was selected for the 2010 World Cup against world champions Italy (a 1-1 draw), was not allowed to take part in the Olympic event by his club Nottingham Forest. Chris Wood has 227 Premier League appearances (69 goals) and 223 Championship appearances (78 goals).

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…and the new block of Saint-Etienne Ben Old

Ben Old, a jewel in New Zealand, will also miss the Olympics. A new player at Saint-Etienne since July 9, the 21-year-old right winger has nevertheless been given the green light by his club to take part in the event in France. But he has opted to forgo joining the New Zealand group to focus on next season with Les Verts, due in particular to a slight soreness in his ankle.

Another blow for coach Darren Basile, who must also part ways with strong links such as Marko Stamenic (Nottingham Forest, in the Premier League) and Liberato Cacace (Empoli, in the Italian Serie A). New Zealand's selection for the Olympics is mainly made up of players who play for Wellington Phoenix, the country's leading club and which competes in the Australian championship.