Brazil soccer is hoping the new direction it has taken will lead to Olympic glory.
The men’s soccer tournament at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro will begin Thursday, with 16 teams chasing the gold medal. Mexico currently stands as the defending champion, but the likes of Argentina, Brazil and Germany lead a host of contenders for the big prize.
The men’s tournament primarily features players from their respective U-23 national teams, but overage stars such as Brazil’s Neymar and Mexico’s Oribe Peralta will be familiar to soccer fans near and far.
Brazil never has won a gold medal at an Olympic games. Newly installed coach Rogerio Micale, who took over the host nation’s U-23 team last month after Dunga’s firing, faces both the opportunity and challenge of a lifetime.
Check out the entire Olympic men’s soccer schedule below. All times are Eastern.
PRELIMINARY ROUND
Aug. 4
Iraq 0, Denmark 0
Honduras 3, Algeria 2
Brazil 0, South Africa 0
Mexico 2, Germany 2
Portugal 2, Argentina 0
Sweden 2, Colombia 2
South Korea 8, Fiji 0
Nigeria 5, Japan 4
Aug. 7
Fiji vs. Mexico, Noon
Honduras vs. Portugal, 2 p.m.
Germany vs. South Korea, 3 p.m.
Argentina vs. Algeria, 5 p.m.
Denmark vs. South Africa, 6 p.m.
Sweden vs. Nigeria, 6 p.m.
Brazil vs. Iraq, 9 p.m.
Japan vs. Colombia, 9 p.m.
Aug. 10
Algeria vs. Portugal, Noon
Argentina vs. Honduras, Noon
Germany vs. Fiji, 3 p.m.
South Korea vs. Mexico, 3 p.m.
Colombia vs. Nigeria, 6 p.m.
Japan vs. Sweden, 6 p.m.
Denmark vs. Brazil, 9 p.m.
South Africa vs. Iraq, 9 p.m.
QUARTERFINALS
Aug. 13
Quarterfinal 1, Noon
Quarterfinal 2, 3 p.m.
Quarterfinal 3, 6 p.m.
Quarterfinal 4, 9 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Aug. 17
Semifinal 1, Noon
Semifinal 2, 3 p.m.
FINALS
Aug. 20
Bronze-medal game, Noon
Gold-medal game, 4:30 p.m.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images