The Olympic men’s soccer group stage starts today, but fans shouldn’t expect to see the sport’s biggest stars on the field. The absence of top players like Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi highlights a long-standing power struggle within the sport, driven by FIFA, the sport’s global governing body.
A Power Struggle in Soccer
According to Yahoo Sports’ Henry Bushnell, the struggle for control in soccer has led to two significant restrictions on men’s Olympic rosters:
- All but three players must be 23 years old or younger.
- Regardless of age, a player’s professional club is not obligated to release him for the tournament.
Impact on Star Players
These rules have thwarted the Olympic dreams of many players. Kylian Mbappé, a native Parisian, expressed his desire to compete in the Paris Olympics, saying, “I’ve always said that the Games in Paris are special, and I wanted to be there.” However, his club, Real Madrid, refused to release him. This scenario is not unique to Mbappé; numerous clubs have declined to permit their players to participate.
As a result, only two of the world’s top 100 players, Argentina’s Julián Álvarez and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, will compete in the Olympics.
A Junior Varsity Competition
These restrictions have effectively turned Olympic men’s soccer into a junior varsity competition. FIFA enforces these rules to ensure that the Olympics do not rival the World Cup or any other major soccer tournament.
While the Olympic men’s soccer tournament remains a prestigious event, it lacks the star power that fans might hope to see. The tension between FIFA and the Olympics continues to shape the landscape of international soccer, influencing which players can participate in these historic games.