The Matildas have grown used to competing in tournaments without their star forward Sam Kerr, who is sidelined with an ACL injury. Kerr first suffered this injury in 2011, which also kept her out of the 2012 London Olympics.

After a historic run to the FIFA World Cup 2023 semi-finals and a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, Australia will be hungry to go one step further in Paris.

Even without Kerr, Tony Gutavsson’s side boasts a formidable attacking front, especially on the counter-attack.

The pace of Hayley Raso, Ellie Carpenter and Caitlin Foord - combined with the finishing and passing vision of Michelle Heyman  and Mary Fowler means that they can go from end to end in a matter of seconds.

Australia will be facing a German team seeking redemption after missing the last Olympics.

Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille

Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC+2)

Japan enter the Olympics in good form and could surprise a few, as they did at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals before losing 2-1 to Sweden.

If any team can beat Spain, it’s Japan. The 2012 Olympic silver medalists beat the Spaniards 4-0 in the group stage of last year's World Cup.

Spain went on to add the UEFA Women's Nations League title to their FIFA Women's World Cup crown. The two sides have met for three friendlies over the past nine months, with each claiming a win before a draw at the SheBelieves Cup in April. 

Japan look formidable on paper with the likes of Manchester City's Yui Hasegawa and Liverpool's Fuka Nagano but Japan head coach Futoshi Ikeda will expect his entire squad to deliver.

Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Kick-off: Thursday, 17:00 (UTC+2)