[Captain Canuck]

Anybody out there know when qualifying for the 2004 Olympics begins? If its the same as for 2000 it would be in Feb/March/April of the Olympic year......but I'm wondering if the implementation of the international calender would affect Olympic qualifying. I think qualifying should take into account the international calendar, but that would mean playing a series of games over international dates. If not, a qualifying tournament held at a time when a lot of eligible players would be forced to miss club dates.

For example, nearly the entire Canadian team is already playing in Europe (one reason why I like Canada's chances) & I'm sure a few Americans would be as well. Maybe they will be established enough that the clubs won't mind too much letting the players go, but its always nice to avoid club vs. country hassles (after all, that's why the international calendar was introducted).

[JTPenney]

The only thing I could find was a Fifa media note. The problem is that all these dates have pasted. [shrug]

http://www.fifa2.com/scripts/runisa....isplay+36145+E

Wide interest for 2004 Olympic Football Tournaments

Zürich, 7 March 2002 - By 1 March 2002, 150 national associations had enrolled men’s U-23 teams for the preliminary competition of the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament, while 87 national teams had been entered for the women’s competition. The enrolment phase is still open and additional associations may increase the total tally for the event, the final competition of which will be held in Athens, Patras, Volos, Thessaloniki, and Heraclio (Crete) in two years’ time.
This information was presented to the FIFA Organising Committee for the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament at a meeting on 4 March, chaired by Issa Hayatou (Cameroon) - the CAF President and Vice-President of FIFA.

The Committee also forwarded a proposal for ratification by the FIFA Executive Committee regarding the allocation of places at the 16-team men’s final tournament among the six confederations. For the women’s final tournament it was noted that 10 teams was the maximum number agreed to by the International Olympic Committee. This means that the tournament format will be two groups of five teams, followed by semi-finals and a final.

The draw for the preliminary competitions has tentatively been set for Thursday, 16 May 2002 in Zurich. The preliminary competitions are due to begin in July 2002.

The Final Draw is likely to take place in April (or early May at the latest) 2004.

[Sachin]

I believe it's in early 2004.

But there may be prelims before then.

Sachin

[IASocFan]

With all the fuss about 2006, CONCACAF also announced the pairings for 2004 Olympic Qualifying.

For the men see: http://www.concacaf.com/graphics/pho...Qualifying.pdf

For the women see:
http://www.concacaf.com/graphics/pho...Qualifying.pdf

[JG]

Interesting that they have gone to "flatter" formats all around, with the better teams involved in the early rounds of qualifying and no regional stages.

[IASocFan]

For the men if the seeded teams advance, it will be Canada, Honduras, USA, and Panama in Group A.
It will be Mexico, Costa Rica, T & T, and Guatemala in Group B. Second place in each group will play the winner of the other group to advance to the Olympics.

The Tournaments for both men and women will be held in Mexico.

[IASocFan]

Originally posted by JG
Interesting that they have gone to "flatter" formats all around, with the better teams involved in the early rounds of qualifying and no regional stages.

This is true for the men. Not for the women where the US, Mexico, and Canada advance to the final groups.

[Canadian_Supporter]

Originally posted by IASocFan
For the men if the seeded teams advance, it will be Canada, Honduras, USA, and Panama in Group A.

Canada should be able to get by the USVI, but only three years ago we tied the Netherland Antilles in an OQ match.

However, the possible tie against El Salvador could prove to be tricky.

[sidspaceman]

The dates have been set for the first round of CONCACAF qualifying for both the men's and women's Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004.
The men's tournament, which is an under-23 competition (for players born before 1 January 1981), will be scheduled in coordination with the FIFA International Match Calendar.

The first two rounds of men's qualifying will be played on a home-and-away basis, as a result of the draw held 7 February 2003. The first-round series are to be completed by 12 October 2003, with first-leg matches played on 6, 7 or 10 September and return matches on 10 September (if not used for first leg), or 11 or 12 October.

The men’s second-round ties must played by 20 November, with the home leg scheduled for 15 or 16 and the return matches on 19 November.

http://concacaf.com/news/article.page/1280

[bigshow]

Originally posted by sidspaceman
The dates have been set for the first round of CONCACAF qualifying for both the men's and women's Olympic Football Tournaments Athens 2004.
The men's tournament, which is an under-23 competition (for players born before 1 January 1981), will be scheduled in coordination with the FIFA International Match Calendar.

The first two rounds of men's qualifying will be played on a home-and-away basis, as a result of the draw held 7 February 2003. The first-round series are to be completed by 12 October 2003, with first-leg matches played on 6, 7 or 10 September and return matches on 10 September (if not used for first leg), or 11 or 12 October.

The men’s second-round ties must played by 20 November, with the home leg scheduled for 15 or 16 and the return matches on 19 November.

http://concacaf.com/news/article.page/1280

Sid,I know you are going to think i'm an a$$ for telling you this, but the Olympic Football Tournaments are for players born on or after January 1,1981.