Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 19, 2026

What in the world was that first day of soccer at the Summer Games?

Flares, bottles and booing an entire nation. That was Day 1 of “The Beautiful Game” at the Olympics

Mali v Israel: Men’s Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day -2
Mali v Israel: Men’s Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day -2
Fans fight in the stands as security staff separate them prior to the Men’s group D match between Mali and Israel during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on July 24, 2024 in Paris, France.
Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

Olympic soccer isn’t supposed to be like this.

What transpired on the first day of competition in the men’s portion of the Summer Games was dirty, it was political, and even featured an undercurrent of racism — ironically at the same tournament designed to bring the world together.

In fact, it was the women’s game that got the party started after it was revealed that Canada, the defending champions of the Olympic Games, flew a drone over the training session of New Zealand, its opening Group A opponent.

The silly decision saw two Canadian staffers and its coach removing themselves from Thursday’s game. The reason? Unknown. But it’s not like Canada needed to do that and why they believed they wouldn’t have been caught and have consequences subsequently rendered is beyond comprehension.

Argentina v Morocco: Men’s Football - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day -2
Fans of Morocco invade the pitch during the Men’s group B match between Argentina and Morocco during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on July 24, 2024 in Saint-Etienne, France.
Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

Fandom and flares

Mind you, the Canada incident occurred before the tournament even kicked off to a wild Wednesday that saw a stadium emptied after irate Moroccan fans stormed the pitch, reportedly threw flares and bottles directed at players from Argentina after a controversial goal in the 16th minute — yes, you read that correctly — of stoppage time.

Fans were already incensed that a VAR check added what might be the longest stoppage time addition in Olympic history, only to then to have Argentina’s Cristian Medina score a late goal in said stoppage.

Two hours later, after the stadium was cleared off all fans following the melee and interruption, officials took a VAR check of the second goal and discovered that Medina was offsides.

Morocco wins 2-1 — but sadly, not without a stain on the game.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games - Day -2 - Men’s Football - Mali v Israel
Spectators wave Palestine flags during the Men’s Football Pool D match between Team Mali and Team Israel at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France
Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

And then there was Israel vs. Mali

Later in the day, Israel took on Mali to constant boos from the stadium crowd upset over the ongoing situation between Israel and Palestine, a current conflict fueled by terrorism but propped up on political turmoil spanning multiple countries.

How bad was it?

How about the Israeli national team needing to be escorted to the stadium by a heavy police motorcade, and armed police and guards circling Parc des Princes stadium where the game was held. Then boos and jeers arrived as the team took the field — and this is all before a ball was even kicked in regulation.

Not to mention fans fighting both inside and outside the arena.

Then, nearly every touch from the Israelis brought boos from the crowd in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.

Turning off the games on Wednesday left a sour taste. The Olympics are probably the one tournament that supposed to be free of drama. OK, let me rephrase that. The soccer portion of the Summer Games are supposed to be drama-free.There are already scandals brewing in Olympic swimming, and these games aren’t historically remiss without some accusations of doping, poor sportsmanship and the, ahem, well-documented closed-door activities of Olympians.

Soccer at the Olympics is supposed to be at its purest. These aren’t even the top players on respective teams but those considered next up to represent their nations at the senior level. Here’s hoping Day 1 was merely a feeling out — as there’s no reason to mar an event and a competition that prides itself on showcasing the best of sports.

See More:

More in Soccer

Soccer
Christian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup matchChristian Pulisic injury updates: UMSNT star out for Australia World Cup match
Soccer

The U.S. star is day-to-day with a calf injury in the World Cup. Here’s the latest.

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
USMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against AustraliaUSMNT playing for Unofficial World Championship against Australia
Soccer

Qualifying for the knockout stage could come with an extra bonus on Friday.

By Bernd Buchmasser
Soccer
World Cup 2026: What are the clinching scenarios in Group C?World Cup 2026: What are the clinching scenarios in Group C?
Soccer

Here are the current clinching scenarios for Group C at the 2026 World Cup

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
USA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tacticsUSA vs. Australia World Cup preview: Analysis and tactics
Soccer

Here we go!

By James Dator
Soccer
Raúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group ARaúl Rangel’s ‘save of the tournament’ helps Mexico win World Cup Group A
Soccer

Mexico keeper Raúl Rangel made a pair of spectacular saves to help preserve a 1-0 win over South Korea

By Mark Schofield
Soccer
World Cup 2026: What are the scenarios for Group A?World Cup 2026: What are the scenarios for Group A?
Soccer

This is who’s in good shape to advance in Group A during the 2026 World Cup.

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...