Host of the 2016 Olympic tournament, Brazil, are keen on landing their first gold medal in football.
The top football nation has never won the gold medal despite their record five times win of the FIFA World Cup. They will be playing this time at home with their biggest star player set to feature, they are set to lift the title in Rio de Janeiro.
Coach Dunga refused to take Neymar to the Copa America Centenario in the United States as he opted to allow the player join the three allowed over aged players at the tournament. Brazil were knocked out at the group stage by Peru ending their hopes on moving further instantly. Dunga was sacked as a result of the loss and Tite was chosen to replace him. Dunga, who was set to lead the team to the Olympics, also lost the opportunity as the usual 23-coach Rogerio Micale will lead the team.
The Olympics in Rio will be the third straight one for Brazil and they will be hoping to get a gold medal that has eluded them for so long. They were close in the 2008 edition but were knocked out by Argentina in the semifinals. The former FIFA Player of the Year Ronaldinho led them but four years later Neymar did. In 2012, the y lost to Mexico in the final. They have won the silver medal thrice and bronze twice. After their elimination at the Copa America, the pressure to win gold will be high. The embarrassment of losing 7-1 to Germany on home soil at the last World Cup is not forgotten, and it adds to the pressure the team will face.
Brazil will play the opener against South Africa, then face Denmark and Iraq. Columbia, Sweden, Japan and Nigeria form Group B. Mexico, Germany, South Korea and Fiji form group C. Portugal, Algeria, Argentina and Honduras form Group D.