Chelsea stars called up for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Chelsea stars called up for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Chelsea Women players have been selected to participate in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, which kicks off next month with the women's football tournament starting on July 25. Twelve countries will compete in the group stages, followed by the knockout rounds, culminating in the gold-medal match on August 10. The tournament will be hosted in seven cities: Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Nantes.

Reigning champions Canada have included Chelsea defenders Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence in their squad. The pair will aim to defend their title, beginning their campaign in Group A against New Zealand, hosts France, and Colombia.

Lawrence will be participating in her third Olympics, alongside Buchanan, having previously won bronze in Rio in 2016 and gold in Tokyo in 2021. Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes has selected Blues forward Catarina Macario for the United States' 18-player squad, which is set to compete in Group B against Zambia, Germany, and Australia. This will be Macario's second Olympic appearance, having been part of the squad that won bronze in Tokyo.

Additionally, Blues forward Maika Hamano has been named in Japan's squad and could make her Olympic debut. Japan will face Spain, Nigeria, and Brazil in Group C. Further Chelsea representation might occur as final squad lists for France, Germany, and Colombia are still pending confirmation.