Brazil squeezed out of the group stages as one of the best two teams finishing third in their group standing, and they have just booked their ticket to the final. Standing in their way is four-time Olympic champions and familiar opponents, the USWNT.

This means the final on Saturday will be a repeat of the 2004 and 2008 finals, both of which were won by the Americans. The legendary Marta will play her final game in a Brazilian shirt that evening, looking to end a historic international career with a gold medal around her neck. Here is how the battle might play out given what we have seen so far.

USWNT attacking line is clutch

Two late goals in extra time is the narrative of how the USWNT got through the knock out stages so far. To the rescue has been Sophia Smith against Germany, and Trinity Rodman against a frustrating Japan after playing goal-less for 90 minutes. The duo in addition to Mallory Swanson, have scored three goals each in the tournament so far, with each picking up at least an assist.

The USWNT front-line has clicked regardless of opposition and which moment in the game they are in, they have capitalized on the key moments. Germany rolled out a 4-4-2 against the U.S., a formation they have stuck with all tournament so far.

Looking to beat that, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes opted to do the same with Rose Lavelle pulling out to the left as Smith and Swanson combined as the central pair. Crystal Dunn would start the attack and help the U.S load up front with almost five options to choose from.

Yet, the central midfield work by Sam Coffey and Lindsey Horan was not clicking for the majority of the game. Imbalanced and not on the same page, the two struggled to get one up against the aggressive German set-up. However, the injuries of Lea Schüller and Alex Popp forced the European side to move things around, that in some ways allowed the U.S to go unpunished in the middle.

Lynn Williams has come off the bench in all her minutes this tournament, and her versatility has been showcased over and over again. Maybe the unsung hero in some of the last few games, but Williams has shown to “understand the assignment” with every shift she’s put in so far.

Goals win games, and the attackers are usually responsible for finding the net. This is great news for the USA whose all three attackers have the highest shots on target in the tournament so far, putting on display a front-line that trusts it’s ability to shoot, and have allowed it’s creative input to come out.

Afterall, even with a midfield that struggled and a frontline that did not get the service it desires, it was the quality of pace and clinical nature by Smith that takes her team to the final. Ironically, Smith celebrates her 24th on Saturday, a birthday goal would certainly be special.

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Naomi Girma is massive

"The best defender I've ever seen. Ever. I've never seen a player as good as her in the back." Hayes told reporters post-game on Tuesday. That is a fair and valid comment to say given the performances (s) Girma has had this tournament.

The American defender was there to clear every ball Germany put in the box. Wether that was a cross coming in from either flank, or a central pass, Girma was ready to intercept and steer away danger. Aware of her surrounding and where the opposition is, Girma uses both feet and her head to get her body in the way, and that has been monumental.

Germany grew frustrated finding Girma at the end of every ball in the box, but her non stop hustle meant whichever option they seeked, Girma was still there. More impressive than anything, is how disciplined the San Diego defender is, almost never getting stuck in a bad challenge or giving her opponents a reason to content a call.

Girma’s partnership with Emily Fox in the back has made the duo hard to breakdown and breakup. The U.S. have only conceded two goals up until this point, both coming in the group stages. It’s been an Alyssa Naeher masterclass behind the solid backline. Present, clean, and dominant is what Girma has been at the Olympics for the USWNT.

Brazil has squad depth

Head Coach Arthur Elias has had to work around injuries, using the alternate list and switching things up from the first game of the tournament. Coming in to the semi-final battle against Spain, Brazil was without key names like Tamires and Rafaelle Souza due to injury as well as Marta who was serving a two game suspension following a straight red card in the finale group stage game.

Elias surprised some against Japan when he rolled out six changes in the starting XI compared to the previous line-up that took on Nigeria in the opening game. And whilst the majority of changes that have happened up to this stage of tournament have been due to injuries, Brazil have used that time to gel together and build unexplored partnerships.

Yasmim and Ana Vitória in particular have been impressive with their contribution on the fast break. Yamsim scored her first assist of the tournament in Brazil’s second goal against Spain in the semi-finals and went on to play the entire game.

Lauren started both games against Spain in the back, but showed her improved awareness of the Spaniards crosses on Tuesday, which was a crucial element in Brazil defensive job. Though concerns at the start of the month that the team had not glued together, Brazil have made the most out of playing under uncomfortable circumstances.

There is a generation shift happening in the Brazilian squad, and transition aches were bound to happen at some point. The level of heart the team showed in their 4-2 semi-final victory spoke volume about this set of players and the excitement they can bring on a good day. Three years away from hosting a World Cup, this is exactly what Brazil needed to do, especially after a disappointing 2023 World Cup. Under the leadership of Marta, she has brought up these youngsters now fighting to get a gold medal around her neck

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Deadly counter-attacks.

They way to beat Spain has been to catch them on the counter-attack, but that is much easier said than done. The World Champions don’t often loose possession, Cata Coll has been fairly consistent, and the backline has improved at tracking back, yet, they have been leaky. Brazil approached the semi-final in the perfect manner.

Two of the four goals Brazil scored on Tuesday were the result of quick counter-attacking football. In fact, had Brazil been more clinical, the scoreline would have looked much more devastating that what it ended up being. Elias’s side had plenty of joy making runs between Spain’s centre-backs who struggled to close Brazil down. Additionally, Olga Carmona struggled with all defensive duties in the back.

Though Brazil’s attacking frontline looks different to what it did 12 months ago at the World Cup, it is not short of aggressive runners who can strike with calmness. Heading into the final, Brazil has had six different goal scorers this tournament, with Gabi Portilho the only player responsible for two.

The 3-4-3 Brazil rolled out punished a Spain side that was disorganized in the back, and it was fully deserved. Plenty of what went wrong for the South American nation in the group stages was tweaked and improved on during Tuesday’s showdown.

It will deliver.

It is hard to predict a women’s Olympic football bingo card, and therefore difficult to pinpoint a clear winner for Saturday’s showdown. How will the USWNT manage load and tired legs will be a part of the answer, but so will the number of injuries surrounding the Brazilian camp on match-day.

It is clear however, that the final will be an exciting match-up to end what has been an entertaining women’s football tournament. Will football want to write the fairy-tail ending for Marta, or will it look dignify the start of Emma Hayes’ international football era in dominance?

After 18 football matches in one week at the Olympic games, eight nations have booked their ticket to the quarter-final stages of the tournament.

Given the quick and congested schedule of the Olympics, the quarter-finalists can say they are halfway through the competition as the chance to play for a medal is only win away. There has been many take-way lessons that set expectations for the upcoming rounds in how the teams will do, here is a deep dive.

The United States

The USWNT was the first to secure their position in the next round after two dominant wins over Zambia and Germany, followed by a clean victory against the Matildas to make it three from three. The Americans’ new era under head coach Emma Hayes is off to a flying start and the proof is in the football displayed so far.

Coming into France, questions loomed surrounding the teams after goal-shy performances in the warm-up friendlies with worries extending from last years’ World Cup, under then head coach, Vlatko Andonovski.

The attacking firepower made up by Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson have answered some concerns with a statement. All three attackers sit in the top five of the tournament in average shots on goals, with Smith leading the trio at an avg. 4.3 shots per game. Collectively, they have scored seven, and when not hitting goals, they are providing them, as all three have achieved at-least an assist each.

In comparison to last summer, the USWNT recorded only four shots on target against The Netherlands in the group stages where the points were shared off a 1-1 result. Both Rodman and Smith were starters that evening with the exception of Alex Morgan in between.

Hayes’s urgent style of play when moving possession forward has brought out the best out the talented frontline, who not only have found opportunity to put their finishing qualities on display, but creative input as-well. The U.S. will have to deal without Sam Coffey against Japan in the QF due to accumulation of yellow cards.

The an unrotated starting XI against Australia on Wednesday brews questions as to why Sam Coffey started given she was one yellow card away from a suspension, and qualification was already secured. This coupled with Tierna Davidson injury concerns might push Emily Sonnett to slot into centre-back again on Saturday. Recent substitution patterns suggest, Korbin Albert could be given the nod, too. Not to mention, the unrested players will have to up the amount of rest in prevention of tiring out.

Spain

Spain may be the only team debuting this Olympic games, but it does not look like their first run-do at a tough congested tournament schedule. The World Champions topped their group winning all three possible games and will now face Colombia.

The Spaniards had to overcome three completely different opponents in Nigeria, Japan and Brazil, each presenting their own problems. Having recorded 20 shots against the Super Falcons and dominated just over 70% possession, it was a brilliant Alexia Putellas freekick that made the difference in the final minutes of the game.

In the opener, it was Japan who opened the scoring first and made Spain work from behind. Dominating possession like expected, they did not look overly clinically up top, but moving the ball so well and providing many different looks up top, the goals rolled in.

The reigning world champions have learnt to stay calm, continue poking at backlines, and the trust that the break-though will eventually come. Wether that is through a moment of brilliance like recently seen, or opposition backlines unable to defend all 90 minutes, Spain have not rushed to hit the panic button.

All 18 players are on the same page to keep going, keep moving the ball, and keep passing fluidly and intelligently. It was quick passing that led to goals versus Brazil and Japan. Spain trust in how they are able to move the ball, and it is a step ahead any other team in tournament. This has helped Spain maintain nerves when the are behind, but also not become reckless when the whistle is about to blow and they have not scored yet.

France

The host nation topped their group with two wins, and a loss to the reigning Olympic champions in Group A, booking their ticket to face Brazil. Yet, even with the home crowd and on home soil, they have not looked utterly convincing.

Les Blues struggled to keep a clean sheet in any of the group stage fixtures, conceding five across the three games, four of which coming in the second half. Injuries to captain Wendie Renard and Élisa De Almeida in the backline have forced rotations, hindering momentum and producing an inconsistent French defensive unit.

Additionally, France’s goalkeeper department is lacking a standout talent. Number one option Pauline Peyraud-Magnin has become error prone in the last two years, unable to guarantee shutouts for her side. Back-up ‘keeper Constance Picaud picked up her 8th senior cap as a substitute against Canada in the second game of the tournament, conceding Canada’s winner.

What has made up for defensive errors, is the dominance up top with the return of Marie-Antoinette Katoto who currently leads the golden boot race with five goals. The French forward sustained an ACL injury one game into Euro 2022, sidelining her for over a year missing the 2023 World Cup.

As the saying goes this Olympics, when Katoto shoots, Katoto scores. Finding the net for five of the seven shots taken on goal, is why backline try to close in on Katoto as fast and as soon as possible.

Japan

Japan have not looked as smooth as the Japan from last summer, yet have impressed with the bank of ideas they have pulled from, making them too tricky to knock out. Since being in the role, head coach Futoshi Ikeda has enjoyed rotating his starting XI and tailoring it depending on opposition, and in some ways, having that skill has played greatly to his benefit this Olympics.

Three different Japan line-ups pushed opponents to spend more time adjusting, who eventually could not crack into answers on how to completely shut down Japan. Heading into their second game against Brazil, injuries mounted with Risa Shimizu pulling out and Aoba Fujino unavailable for selection. In their finale game against Nigeria, Japan took a front foot approach which awarded them with 10 shots on goal.

The new alternate rule allowed for names to be called in, and the challenge of big injuries early have showcased the depth Japan have across the 22 players. All of Japan’s five goals were scored by a different player, the most out of any of the advancing squads. They have scored from, a direct freekick, the spot, off the counter, and from building from the back thus far.

Yui Hasegawa has been a key operator in the midfield in starting all three games. The Manchester City midfielder has acted as the glue between clearing the ball form behind, to providing the slicing passes up front.

Equally, Ikeda’s roll out of a 3-4-3 or 5-3-2 sees great numbers defending, which made it hard for both Nigeria and Brazil to puncture Japan’s backline with ease. A quick sequence of plays by the Spanish was too hard to defend, handing the Japanese a loss in the opening game. Japan and the USWNT fixture in the quarter-finals will be a chess match, with two completely schools of football battle-ing it out.

Brazil

The South American nation was one of the two teams to proceed after finishing third in their group, upping Australia with a single goal on the GD. To say it was tight is an understatement.

The 18 player squad has seen lots of changes in comparison to last summer at the World Cup. A new look squad missing the likes of Debinha, Bia Zaneratto, Andressa Alves and Geyse, as well as working with a new head coach, the transition aches were clear this group stage.

There has been an emphasis on adding young players in the squad, versatile players able to play in multiple positions, and keeping important veterans like the legendary Marta, and former Arsenal defender Rafaelle Souza at the centre of things.

As a result, the depth of players Brazil almost got them the win over Japan, but almost, is not enough. Ana Vitoria, Priscila, and Angelina were standout players that loss, and will have made a case to play good minutes against France in the QF.

After dropping all three points against the Japanese, it became an uphill task of having to beat Spain next. Going down to 10 players after Marta was handed a straight red, made the task even harder. The Brazilian icon will now miss the QF fixture, meaning she could have just played her last international game.

Antônia Silva went down with injury in the final minutes versus Spain, with reports confirming she suffered a fractured fibula. The key defender started all games so far and has been a key player in keeping flank pressure away. Silva’s partnership with Souza has been strong, and fun to watch. It will be interesting to see how Brazil adjusts to the losses and injuries pilling up. The Olympic schedule does not make it much easier either.

Colombia

Loosing two games and having an underwhelming win over New Zealand, Colombia have done just enough to go through as the second nation finishing third in their group standing.

Las Chicas had an almost miraculous comeback against the hosts in their opening game, scoring two goals in the second half after going 3-0 down. A red card to Mayra Ramírez slowed down momentum and took out Colombia’s biggest threats up front. Ramírez’s suspension ran for the next two game, but she will back available in the quarterfinals.

Current head coach Ángelo Marsiglia was one of the assistant coaches last summer, and that managerial change is apparent. Needing just a draw against Canada draw to finish second in the group, it was odd to see no desire in finding the net for a consistent run of plays. The final 10 minuted, including added time, Colombia pushed on, but it was a little too late by then. Often, the team stood still with not much care to keep the ball tightly. Colombia lost possession too easily causing careless turnover that ended in the favour of Canada.

Linda Caicedo has been a bright light in creating chances for her teammates, unable to find the devastating finisher off her service. Equally, opposition, and very clearly Canada, make it a priority to close down Caicedo. If anything, Spain are very familiar with the Real Madrid winger and know her tendencies very well.

Germany

Loosing Lena Oberdorf a week away from the Olympics kick off was far from ideal for Germany. Yet, they have done well in what was a tricky group. Sticking with a 4-4-2 to make up for the loss of Oberdorf and enforce attacking talent, Germany placed second in the standing.

The Europeans opened their campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over an un-inspiring Australian side. Off the corner delivery, it was Giulia Gwinn’s superb crosses that assist two of the three goals. Too worried defending Alex Popp, Lea Schüller was ignored by the Australian players, a bad mistake, and she scored both.

Shüller in particular has now eight goal contributions in Germany’s last seven games. The Bayern forward has looked sharp in finishing, and smart in her runs between pocket. Impressive up front have been Jule Brand and Klara Bühl. Germany’s set of attackers should frighten any team.

Germany fell short against the Americans in a 3-1 defeat, and the forced defensive changes were a contributor. The Germans lost Sarai Linder after the opening game, Marina Hegering in the warm-up, and then her defensive partner Kathrin Hendrich just 20 minutes into the game.

Canada

The Canadians have sure dominated the headlines this Olympics, and probably not in the best light. Despite a six-point deduction by FIFA following coaching staff cheating with a drone over New Zealand’s training camp, the team won all three games and placed second in their group.

There will be questions asked regarding the allegations, 12 ongoing investigations and imposed sanctions, but there is little to question about the grit and resilience the group showed in the two must win games. A shrunk down coaching staff, and dealing with the betrayal of a coach, it has not been an easy week for the 22 players in camp.

Canada were the better team when it mattered most against France, who let their 1-0 lead slip. Les Rouge pushed the pace in the second half, kept Diani and Katoto quiet for the majority of the game, and took their chances at an inexperienced goal keeper.

Jade Rose, has been a monumental talent for the Canadians so far. Dealing with Jayde Riviere’s injury, Rose has played all 270 minutes at a high level. Tasked with defending the likes of Caicedo and the French runner, Rose played a like a veteran.

Canada have approached all three games differently. That could be a result to the forced coaching staff change which has placed Andy Spence as the leader, or tactical versatility based on opposition. Through it all, there has been speed and high press action from the set of forwards, and a Vanessa Gilles coming in clutch with two winning goals.

It went from too good to be true, to far from ideal for the Canadian Women’s National team in France in a matter of days. The final stages of preparation to take on New Zealand in the 2024 Paris opening fixture looked different this week.

What happened?

On Tuesday the 22nd of June, a drone was spotted flying over New Zealand’s training camp in Saint-Etienne, the base for both teams in the early phases of these Olympics. Security and French authorities were alerted, promoting an immediate stop to the training session after securing grounds and intercepting the drone. An unaccredited member for the CanWNT staff was detained by police and taken for questioning.

The following day after admitting guilt and verifying the events in a statement, The Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed the operator of the drone was Canada Soccer analyst Joseph Lombardi. He was reporting to assistant coach Jasmine Mander, who was also questioned by police in regards to her involvement. Lombardi faces legal consequences of flying a drone in a prohibited space, which included accepting a suspended sentence of 8 months' imprisonment. Mander was exonerated.

The COC immediately dismissed both assistant coaches from camp, who have been sent home following the incident. CanWNT head coach Bev Priestman voluntary withdrew herself from the game against New Zealand, where assistant coach Andy Spencer will replace her on the sidelines.

New Zealand Olympic Committee lodged a formal complaint against their Canadian counterparts and respective investigations have been launched by the IOC, COC, NZOC, Paris 2024, and Canada Soccer. Additionally, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee will investigate Canada Soccer, opening proceedings against the federation, Priestman, Lombardi and Mander.

Footage obtained by police revealed Lombardi operated a drone to spy on The Football Ferns on July 19th, July 20th, and July 22nd, amounting to five minutes of videos and images. Saint-Etienne prosecutor revealed that only Lombardi viewed and accessed the collected drone footage, but Mander was aware of the analysts’s spying attempt on the 22nd.

Priestman re-irritated taking accountability in regards to everything that happens in camp, but denied directing individuals. Senior player Janine Beckie told on ground reporters, “We’re obviously super disappointed in the events have happened. It doesn’t reflect Canadians or who we are as competitors.”

New Zealand football have also registered a complaint to FIFA and has asked that Canada not be awarded any points if they win the match on Thursday.

SO, why? And what does this mean?

Priestman had plenty of eyes on her going into this summer Olympics following a disappointing 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign, which saw the Canadians get knocked out in the group stages.

Not much later, the English women signed a contract extension until 2027, and the revenge tour was on. That has been haltered now. Details around flying the drone to obtain tactical information are still developing, and the reasons are bound to be revealed given the various ongoing investigations. Yet, it is difficult to narrate a scenario which completely exempts Priestman.

If Priestman is revealed to have had knowledge about the spying and she was indeed complicit, an immediate separation from the program is expected. In that case, continuing a career in coaching is highly doubtful.

Yet, if she really had no knowledge, then there are serious questions surrounding the trust between the coaching group and to which extent has Priestman lost control of her staff. Much easier to figure out is, in both cases, her future with the program is damming and there will be punishments for breaching integrity rules in such manner. The head coach is ultimately responsible for everything that happens in camp, and this incident took place under her watch.

A deep run with strong performances was the expectation of the Canadian team, but what sort of finish will it take for Priestman to save herself from being dismissed? Will a medal around her neck shut down this noise?

New Zealand has not found victory against the Canadians since 1987, are going into Paris without their head coach, and see seven more first-time Olympians than their opposition. So why would Lombardi feel the need to spy, put the entire program at risk, and resort to cheating against a team that statically has the lowest chance of beating Canada this Olympics?

Did Lombardi feel so out depth in his role that he felt the need to jeopardize the entire coaching staff, rather than step down? Was this part of Lombardi’s preparation routine and just happened to get caught this time? Did Lombardi feel a lack trust from Priestman with the duties she handed him? There are a lot of questions, and very few answers as of right now.

What is known about the current case is, it was reckless and dangerous behaviour that was bound to be found out, and thinking otherwise is disc-respectful to the Olympic games, New Zealand and the COC.

Canada found themselves in a perfect position heading into Thursday. A full two-week preparation camp in France hosted two victories against Nigeria and Australia in training match friendlies. During roster selection, Priestman hosted a small camp in Toronto assessing players. This was all following a solid home send-off series against Mexico. Unlike last summer, there was no federation noise, no pay dispute, no condition concerns, and no distractions. Everything was in place.

In some ways, it feels like CanWNT is allergic to calm and sound conditions. Wether that is coming from within camp, like the current situation, or from around camp like last summer, chaos is always right around the corner.

Not at fault for this, are the Canadian players. Though they have not cheated, their preparation phase had elements of breached integrity. The set of CanWNT players continue to be led down by those around them, and it happens to be those closest to them responsible for it this time. Both Lombardi and Mander were at last years’ World Cup, and therefore understand what off-field distraction can do - so why perpetrate it?

Canada’s performance against New Zealand, and more widely this Olympics, will be tarnished, their personal integrity will be called into question and their fair play will be questioned. It is a recipe for disaster.

Something happened that was completely avoidable and unnecessary, brewing more questions than answers. Players cannot be concerned on finding out those answers, as their best interests lie on grabbing a win against New Zealand, looking to go deep into the tournament, and field a fourth consecutive podium finish.

282 French women across 35 different sports will be representing their nation at this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris. All of them originate from diverse backgrounds, carry a unique story to becoming Olympians, and act as role models for those who dream of being the same. After all, “If you can see it, you can be it.” However, that is not the case for French women who wear the hijab (an Islamic headscarf).

In September of 2023, the International Olympic Committee ruled that participants in the Paris Olympics are free to wear the hijab during competition and in the village. Yet, this ruling does not stop federations from imposing their own participation rules.

Nevertheless, a few days later, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera announced the country’s hijab ban on Muslim French athletes for the Olympics, in respect to principles of secularism. None of the athletes from visiting nations have to abide by the ruling as their federation does not have such regulation.   

This is not exclusive to just the Olympics. The deceleration is imposed in several sports in France, including football, basketball, and volleyball, in competitions at all levels, including youth and amateur ones. It further extends to coaches, support staff, and officials.

Unsurprisingly, the ban flies in the face of the human rights requirements for host countries and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights - “explicit prohibition of discrimination” -  as well as being antithetical to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism which include, excellence, respect and friendship. Additionally, there is a clear violation of the Olympic Charter which states:

"The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status."

So, what has the IOC said about this? Highlighted in a recent Amnesty International report, the IOC states, “France’s prohibition on sports hijabs was outside the remit of the Olympic movement,” claiming that “freedom of religion is interpreted in many different ways by different states.”

It is difficult to categorize this as a strong response as it completely fails to challenge France, and attempts to deflect authority. In fact, just last month, the IOC’s Executive Board recommended awarding the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games to France.

CBC Senior contributor and award-winning journalist, Shireen Ahmed described France’s ban perfectly, “Forcing women outside of clothing is as violent as forcing them into it.”

In a time when women’s sports are bigger than ever, the exclusion of hijabi women participating at any level limits and hinders possible growth. Last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup broke viewership, revenue, and attendance records, providing a glimpse into the future of the women’s game on both national and international levels.

This year’s Paris Olympics is expected to follow with more breaking records, but French women wearing a hijab are not allowed to be part of history.

Last summer in Australia and New Zealand, Moroccan defender Nouhaila Benzina was celebrated for being the first woman in hijab to play football at the highest level of women's sport. If Benzina lived in France, she would not be able to play for any club there, and if she was French, she would not be able to play for country.

“My message to hijabis is to stick to their dreams. It has nothing to do with sport, it is a personal choice.”  Benzina told FIFA during the World Cup.

Recent reports highlight the connection between the visibility of female athletes and the increase in girls’ participation numbers across sports, especially football. The kids see it, they want to become it. What about young Muslim girls in France?

Such discriminatory rules push women out of sports and discourage them from playing. Lina Boussaha is a midfielder and PSG academy graduate who represented France across four youth stages from 2015 to 2023.

In 2022, she decided to wear the hijab, which meant giving up professional football in her hometown and the country for which she had proudly worn the jersey. Today, she plays for Al Nassar FC in Saudi Arabia and represents Algeria on the international stage, a position granted through her parental descent.

Similarly, Diaba Konaté is a basketball player at the University of California, Irvine, who cannot represent France because she wears a hijab. Like Boussaha, she grew up in Paris and was forced to leave the country in pursuit of her passion. Even if Konaté were breaking NCAA records as Caitlin Clark did, she still wouldn’t be able to wear a France jersey - she simply isn’t welcome.

Women’s sports have been built, led by, and fought for, by athletes of all backgrounds who have instilled inclusivity, diversity, and inclusion as fundamental values of the sport.

Canada’s non-binary midfielder Quinn, the women of colour on the USWNT, and Morocco’s Benzina are living proof of that. Women’s football is inclusive, but it is a quota none of the French sporting federations fulfill. It has been the bigoted, racist, and homophobic individuals like Oudea-Castera in this case, that have allowed discrimination to persist. 

In another instance, Tina Rahimi will be the first female Muslim boxer to represent Australia at the Olympic Games this summer. However, if she were French, her hijab would prevent her from competing in Paris. In a recent TikTok on her personal account, Rahimi opened up about France and the hijab ban. She questions, “How is my hijab going to affect anything?”

The truth is, wearing a headscarf during a sporting event does not make one a better or worse player, nor does it say anything about their skill level. Just like their teammates or opponents, they are there to compete, not preach about their religion or spread the gospel. French policymakers suggesting the hijab is a threat to sports bite into nothing more than misinformation and Islamophobia.

Despite an Amnesty International report pointing out the violations caused by the hijab ban, public outrage, and incongruence with the Olympic charter, France’s xenophobic system does not care and will continue to persist, casting a dark cloud on women’s sports. This has nothing to do with secularism or Western values, it is bluntly racist.

The Olympic Charter in itself states: “The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have access to the practice of sport, without discrimination of any kind in respect of internationally recognised human rights within the remit of the Olympic Movement.”

The 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics will likely be remembered as a blemish on gender equality and the principles that women’s sports stand for. By going against the Olympic Charter, the host nation, France, denies some girls and women their guaranteed right to participate in sports. That is shameful, and quite frankly, sad.