We cannot wait for next year’s World Cup in Qatar. But while we wait, there are a few fun distractions. The Euro 2020 offered plenty to see and talk about, and over in Japan, there’s the Olympic Tournament that can look like a World Cup. If you try really, really hard.Among the 288 players included are some of planet football’s top talents. The selection criteria for the men’s competition state that participants have to be born in 1997 or later, with the exception of three over-age players. Here are some of the more experienced players who could make the difference for their countries in the hunt for the medals at Tokyo 2020. Brazil will feature Dani Alves, who at 38 and with 118 senior caps to his name. The former Barcelona, Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain right-back has played in two World Cups, four Copa America tournaments and two Confederations Cups. Nobody has won as much as him in the history of football. No one can match his 41 titles in 20 seasons. He has never won a World Cup, though, or an Olympic medal. That’s why he is going to Japan.Dani Alves the most decorated football player. Now Dani Alves the flight attendant on Brazil’s trip to Tokyo Olympics. pic.twitter.com/bAdapNGD1x— Comeback Kings (@ElijahKyama) July 18, 2021 The coach, Andre Jardine, is just three years older than Alves, but it is clear to him that the veteran is the perfect captain.”He is a leader, he is a winner, he has a lot of charisma and he is highly respected by all Brazilian players. He is a great example for this generation of players that we have. Curiously, he has never competed in the Olympics. He is going to be an example for the squad and a leader on the field of play. If we think of a player who wants to be champion… he has a record full of titles for a reason.”Alves is ambitious and intends to win gold in Tokyo and then win the World Cup next year in Qatar.The Brazilians will also be able to count on the experience of Santos in goal as well as Sevilla defender Diego Carlos. They look like the strongest of the 16 participating teams, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, Borussia Dortmund’s Reinier and Everton’s Richarlison providing talent and experience despite their young age. Brazil is the team to beat in Tokyo!The French are banking on the flair and experience of 28-year-old Florian Thauvin, who won the World Cup in 2018 and who has just signed with Tigres. There, he will be playing alongside his new teammate Andre-Pierre Gignac, who was a stand-out at the last FIFA Club World Cup. France’s first match will be against Mexico, who have brought in veteran keeper Guillermo Ochoa, who has played at the last four World Cups. ¡EFECTO TIGRES!🇲🇽🇨🇵🟨Por primera vez en Francia transmitirán la Liga Mx.Quiere seguir de cerca a los Franceses de Tigres. Thauvin – Gignac pic.twitter.com/Zs9ng1jjZA— Analistas (@SomosAnalistas_) July 16, 2021 Spain have put their faith in the sweet left foot of Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio and the midfield energy of Dani Ceballos, two players who were not part of Luis Enrique’s Euro 2020 squad. One who was is Unai Simon, who is joining up with the Spanish Olympic team after bowing out on penalties in the semi-finals against Italy. The others are Pedri, the beautifully talented Manchester City midfielder, winger Dani Olmo and attacking midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal. They are rich in talent, with players like Rafa Mir, Mikel Merino, Eric Garcia all established seniors who add plenty of quality for La Furia Roja.Elsewhere, the hosts have chosen to bolster their defence with veteran Maya Yoshida, who is still captain of the Samurai Blue and has no fewer than 107 caps to his name. The two other call-ups, Hiroki Sakai and Wataru Endo are also regulars in Japan’s first team and played at the last World Cup. أبطال الدوري#الاهلي pic.twitter.com/5ei4Fy7ACt— Mohamed el Shenawy (@Melshenawy) September 20, 2020 Mohamed El Shenawy won the most recent CAF Champions League with Al Ahly and is a fixture for Egypt, and he will be available in goal as part of his country’s Olympic squad. Ahmed Hegazy, who was alongside El-Shenawy at Russia 2018, will be bringing his imposing physique and experience of European football to the Egyptian defence. Ivory Coast have called up three senior team regulars as they look to bring back some silverware from Asia: Manchester United’s Eric Bailly, AC Milan’s Franck Kessie and former Saint-Etienne star Max Gradel. Young Red Devil Amad Diallo is likely to be one of the tournament’s best players, so we’ll keep an eye on the Elephants.Ready for Tokyo 2020🇨🇮🦍 pic.twitter.com/SWTVlQVQ2w— Amad🇨🇮 (@Amaddiallo_19) July 9, 2021 Finally, New Zealand are strengthening their attack with consistent English Premier League goalscorer Chris Wood. The towering Burnley striker will bring his experience of major international tournaments to the squad, notably taking part in the 2010 World Cup, London 2012 Olympic Tournament and two Confederations Cups.Three African teams will compete in the Men’s tournament – Egypt, Ivory Coast and South Africa. In the Women’s competition, there will be a total of 12 teams, with Zambia the only one from the African continent.TOKYO 2020 MEN’S FOOTBALLGroup stageThursday10.30: Egypt – Spain11.00: Mexico – France11.00: New Zealand – Korea11.30: Ivory Coast – Saudi Arabia13.30: Argentina – Australia14.00: Japan – South Africa14.00: Honduras – Romania14.30: Brazil – Germany
