Five members of Gareth Taylor’s side will compete in Paris this summer on the back of an impressive 2023/24 campaign.
City matched our best-ever points tally in the WSL last term, taking the title race to the final day before being kept from the summit on goal difference.
Across an exhilarating, rollercoaster campaign – we earned a number of statement wins and broke records along the way.
Such results earned members of our squad individual recognition which has continued with Australia, Japan and Spain including Blues players in their respective squads for the 2024 Paris Olympic games this summer.
Meanwhile one member of Pep Guardiola‘s squad will also be hoping to claim Olympic gold this summer, adding a further international trophy to his already extraordinary cabinet.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the prestigious football tournament.
Argentina
Julian Alvarez has been called up as one of his nation’s three permitted ‘overage’ players as Argentina hope to add to their incredible recent record.
Entering the tournament as World Champions, they have also reached the 2024 Copa America final, where they will face Colombia on Monday morning.
While still being just 24, Alvarez has already cemented himself as a key figure for La Albiceleste and has already made over 30 senior appearances.
In a season where City claimed the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and won a fourth successive Premier League title, Alvarez featured 54 times, grabbing 19 goals and 13 assists.
Argentina have been placed in Group B alongside Iraq, Morocco and Ukraine.
FIXTURES
Argentina v Morocco | 15:00 (UK) | Wednesday 24 July | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne
Argentina v Iraq | 15:00 | Saturday 27 July | Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu
Ukraine v Argentina | 17:00 | Tuesday 30 July | Stade de Lyon, Décines-Charpieu
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Leandro Brey, Geronimo Rulli
Defenders: Marco Di Cesare, Julio Soler, Joaquin Garcia, Gonzalo Lujan, Nicolas Otamendi, Bruno Amione
Midfielders: Ezequiel Fernandez, Santiago Hezze, Cristian Medina, Kevin Zenon
Forwards: Giuliano Simeone, Luciano Gondou, Thiago Almada, Claudio Echeverri, Julian Alvarez, Lucas Beltran
AUSTRALIA
The Matildas will be looking to build on their 2023 World Cup semi-final appearance at the Olympics and compete at the business end of another competition.
Following superb campaigns for City, centre-back Alanna Kennedy and versatile forward Mary Fowler have been included in Australia’s squad.
Between them, they made a combined 45 appearances in all competitions for Taylor’s side last term and played vital roles in our quest for the WSL title.
Kennedy registered an assist in March’s 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium after playing a starring role in our iconic victory against Marc Skinner’s side at Old Trafford in November.
In the fierce battle for the championship, Fowler came to the fore by racking up an impressive 10 goal involvements in our final eight matches of the term.
The Matildas have been placed in Group B with Germany, United States of America and Zambia.
FIXTURES
Germany v Australia | 18:00 | Thursday 25 July | Stade Velodrome, Marseille
Australia v Zambia | 18:00 | Sunday 28 July | Allianz Riviera, Nice
Australia v United States | 18:00 | Wednesday 31 July | Stade Velodrome, Marseille
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah
Defenders: Steph Catley, Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Polkinghorne, Kaitlyn Torpey.
Midfielders: Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler, Tameka Yallop.
Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Michelle Heyman, Hayley Raso, Cortnee Vine.
JAPAN
Japan have enjoyed successful Olympic campaigns in recent years, making the quarter-finals at their home games three years ago after claiming silver in London 2012.
Yui Hasegawa was instrumental in Nadeshiko reaching the last-four and she’s set to be a key player again for Futoshi Ikeda’s side after stamping her authority on the WSL last term.
The combative and classy midfielder made 30 appearances in all competitions for City in 2023/24 – the joint most of any player – where she not only provided protection to our backline but also possessed the ability to spark attacks of our own.
City’s newest recruit, Risa Shimizu has also been included in Japan’s squad for the upcoming Olympic Games.
The right-back has arrived at the Joie Stadium from fellow WSL side West Ham United and has penned a three-year deal – keeping her at the Joie Stadium until the summer of 2027.
It follows her helping her nation to the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals where she scored in their 3-1 win over Norway at the last-16 stage.
Japan have been drawn into Group C and will lock horns with Spain, Brazil and Nigeria.
FIXTURES
Spain v Japan | 16:00 | Thursday 25 July | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Brazil v Japan | 18:00 | Sunday 28 July | Parc de Princes
Japan v Nigeria | 16:00 | Wednesday 31 July | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao.
Defenders: Kumagi Saki, Risa Shimizu, Kitagawa Hikaru, Minami Moeka, Takahashi Hana, Ishikawa Rion, Koga Toko.
Midfielders: Kiko Seika, Yui Hasegawa, Honoka Hayashi, Fuka Nagano, Hinata Miyazawa, Aoba Fujino, Momoko Tanikawa.
Forwards: Mina Tanaka, Riko Ueki, Maika Hamano.
SPAIN
World champions Spain will be eyeing gold for the second straight summer after reigning victorious at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Within their ranks, La Roja have two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and one-time recipient Aitana Bonmati.
They have also called upon the services of City defender Laia Aleixandri – who made the most outings of any defenders for Taylor’s team in 2023/24 in all competitions.
As the boss looked to implement a fluid backline with each member switching positions throughout each match, it’s hardly a surprise to see Aleixandri playing a starring role for City as we pushed for the WSL title.
And she’s likely to play a similar hybrid role for Spain as they face Japan, Nigeria and Spain in Group C.
FIXTURES
Spain v Japan | 16:00 | Thursday 25 July | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Spain v Nigeria | 18:00 | Sunday 28 July | Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Brazil v Spain | 16:00 | Wednesday 31 July | Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Cata Coll, Misa Rodriguez.
Defenders: Laia Aleixandri, Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Laia Codina, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes.
Midfielders: Teresa Abelleira, Aitana Bonmati, Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso.
Forwards: Athenea del Castillo, Mariona Caldentey, Lucia Garcia, Eva Navarro, Salma Paralluelo.
