Australia and Olympic Football

Australia first entered a team at Melbourne 1956 but it was not until Seoul 1988 that another Australian team was fielded. The best result, a fourth placing, was achieved at Barcelona 1992.

Since women’s football was added in Atlanta in 1996 Australia has been represented by the Matildas at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. The fifth placing in Athens has been their best result.

Olympic History

Football made its Olympic debut in Paris in 1900 and since its introduction football for men has missed featuring on the Olympic program only once, at Los Angeles 1932. Women’s football was added to the Olympic program at Atlanta 1996.

Over recent years the eligibility criteria for Olympic football players has changed. Originally, only amateurs were permitted to play. After World War II, the state-supported teams from Communist countries were permitted to play. The strength of those Eastern Bloc teams is evidenced by their creditable performances in the World Cups, against the fully professional teams from Western Europe and South America, soon after competing in the Olympics.

In 1992, the sport was opened to all players, professional and amateur, who were under 23 years of age. In 1996, three over-age players were permitted to be added to the squads. The women’s tournament has never had any age restrictions.

In 1996 and 2000, the emergence of African football was seen with the gold medals going to Ghana in Atlanta and Cameroon in Sydney.

Gold Medal Winners from the Past Three Olympic Games

Men's Tournament
Atlanta 1996 - NIGERIA
Sydney 2000 - CAMEROON
Athens 2004 - ARGENTINA

Women's Tournament
Atlanta 1996 - USA
Sydney 2000 - NORWAY
Athens 2004 - USA