The city of Manaus, deep in the Amazon rainforest, will host six football matches featuring eight teams during the group stages of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Among the highlights are games featuring the all-conquering USA women's side and one of the main the pretenders to their Olympic crown, host nation Brazil.

Manaus will also host four games in arguably the most evenly matched men's group. Sweden, Colombia, Nigeria and Japan make up group B, and each team will place twice at the Amazônia Arena. The runners-up in this group are likely to face Brazil, led by Neymar, in the quarter-finals.

Groups and match schedule defined for Rio 2016 Olympic football tournaments

With capacity of 43,100 people, the Amazônia Arena was built for the 2014 World Cup, when it hosted four games.

To coincide with the visit of the Olympic Torch Relay to the state of Amazônia, Rio2016.com looks ahead to each match in Manaus.

Find out how to buy your tickets

Find out how to buy your tickets

Match by match

Women

Colombia v USA
The USA are current world champions and have won the last three Olympic gold medals and four of the five Olympic tournaments that have been staged, taking silver at Sydney 2000. Led by world player of the year Carli Lloyd, the Americans defeated Colombia 2-0 at the 2015 World Cup in Canada. While they will be clear favourites, matches in the heat of Manaus can be closely fought affairs. The Colombians are an improving side, and beat a strong French team 2-0 in the World Cup.

South Africa v Brazil
Expect a full house for this one.  South Africa are the lowest-ranked side in the group, which also includes Sweden and China. This will be Brazil's last match in the group stage and they will be keen to end on a high note before the business-end of the competition begins.

Men

Sweden v Colombia
There are no clear favourites in group B and everything to play for. The current European under-21 champions Sweden, who will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, will be kicking off the action against Colombia, runners-up in the South American under-20 championship.

Nigeria v Japan
Another showdown between powerhouses from different continents. Japan won this year's under-23 Asian championship, coming from 2-0 down to defeat Republic of Korea 3-2. Nigeria are reigning African under-23 champions. Both sides also have Olympic pedigree; Japan won bronze at London 2012, Nigeria gold at Atlanta 1996 and silver at Beijing 2008.

Sweden v Nigeria
It will be tough for both sides to follow their opening game with another match in the same stadium, with just three days to rest between them. The young teams of Sweden and Nigeria will need to call on all their reserves of strength and stamina. Leadership of the group and qualification for the next stage could be at stake.

Japan v Colombia
If other matches run to form and Brazil win their group, they will face the runner-up from group B. There's a strong chance that this match decides just who it is the home side will face in São Paulo, as part of Brazil's ongoing quest for their first ever Olympic gold.

Also read

 

See also:

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in São Paulo

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Belo Horizonte

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Salvador

Guide to Rio 2016 Olympic football tournament in Brasília

Colombia defeat USA to grab final place in men’s football at Rio 2016

Sweden win final place in women’s football at Rio 2016

Romário: Brazil will finally win football gold at Rio 2016 Olympic Games

Ronaldinho tells Brazil to grab their chance to make history

Zico: I nearly gave up football after my Olympic heartbreak