South American football's Olympic qualifying tournament will be held in Venezuela for the first time. Ten teams will battle it out for a ticket to Paris 2024 in what promises to be a fiercely contested tournament, potentially more competitive than the Olympics themselves.

Among the front-runners are Brazil, aiming to earn their right to match the gold medals achieved in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Argentina, on the other hand, are hoping to qualify in order to persuade the world's best player, Lionel Messi, to join them in their quest for a second Olympic gold. 

Argentina coach Javier Mascherano, a two-time Olympic gold medallist (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008), has stated that the final decision rests with Messi, who told the press that he would decide later, with the option open of following in the footsteps of Kilyan Mbappe and playing in the 33rd Olympic Games. If Argentina qualify, they will also be aiming for the pinnacle of Olympic football, surpassing Europe's two gold and two silver medals.

Despite their historic status, Argentina and Brazil are not overwhelming favourites for this tournament, which is being staged for the first time in 20 years. The 23-year-old age limit, which does not allow for overage reinforcements like at the Olympics, and the absence of key players due to their clubs not releasing them, level the playing field for the other eight teams. 

Thiago Almada (Argentina, Qatar 2022 champions), 17-year-old Brazilian Endrick, who has already been snapped up by Real Madrid, and Colombian striker Oscar Cortés, who plays for Lens in France, will all be in the tornement.

Format of the South American Pre-Olympic:

Format of the South American Pre-Olympics:
The first stage consists of two groups of five teams each. The system is a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the final stage. There, they will play round-robin matches and the top two will secure a place at Paris 2024.

Groups for the 2024 South American Pre-Olympic:

Group A: Venezuela - Brazil - Colombia - Bolivia - Ecuador.

Group B: Argentina - Uruguay - Chile - Paraguay - Perú.

First Phase schedule:

Saturday, 20 January

Ecuador vs. Colombia | 17:00 | Matchday 1 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Venezuela vs. Bolivia | 20:00 | Matchday 1 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Sunday, 21 January

Peru vs. Chile | 17:00 | Matchday 1 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Argentina vs. Paraguay | 20:00 | Matchday 1 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Tuesday, 23 January 

Bolivia vs. Brazil | 17:00 | Matchday 2 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Ecuador vs. Venezuela | 20:00 | Matchday 2 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Wednesday, 24 January

Paraguay vs. Uruguay | 17:00 | Matchday 2 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Peru vs. Argentina | 20:00 | Matchday 2 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Friday, 26 January

Bolivia vs. Ecuador | 17:00 | Matchday 3 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Brazil vs. Colombia | 20:00 | Matchday 3 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Saturday, 27 January

Paraguay vs. Peru | 17:00 | Matchday 3 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Uruguay vs. Chile | 20:00 | Matchday 3 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Monday, 29 January

Brazil vs. Ecuador | 17:00 | Matchday 4 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Colombia vs. Venezuela | 20:00 | Matchday 4 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Tuesday, 30 January

Uruguay vs. Peru | 17:00 | Matchday 4 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Chile vs. Argentina | 20:00 | Matchday 4 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Thursday, 1 February

Venezuela vs. Brazil | 20:00 | Matchday 5 | Group A | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Colombia vs. Bolivia | 20:00 | Matchday 5 | Group A | Polideportivo Misael Delgado (Valencia)

Friday, 2 February

Chile vs. Paraguay | 20:00 | Matchday 5 | Group B | Brígido Iriarte Stadium (Caracas)

Argentina vs. Uruguay | 20:00 | Matchday 5 | Group B | Misael Delgado Sports Complex (Valencia)

Final Quadrangular: Metropolitano Stadium, Barquisimeto

Matchday 1: 5 February

Matchday 2: 8 February

Matchday 3: 11 February