Full schedule for Thursday, July 22nd in the Tokyo 2021 Summer Olympics

Day Two of the Pre-Olympics is here, and as yesterday there are just two competitions today. Men’s soccer takes to the pitch for the first time, and softball steps on the clay for the second day in a row.

While women’s Olympic soccer is open to all players, the rosters on the men’s side use an unusual hybrid format not seen anywhere else in football. Teams usually have just 18 players per side, but because of the pandemic that number is increased to 22 for this tournament. That’s closer to the usual 23 you’d see in a World Cup or confederation championship.

Also it’s an Under-23 tournament, but each country has three exemptions where they can place any player no matter their age. So 19 of your 22 athletes have to be born after January 1, 1997.

It makes for some unusual rosters as major countries look to find top professional players willing to give up their summer to be a part of the Olympic movement. You’ll also see clubs trying to prevent players from participating, as William Saliba of Arsenal was to join France, but the Gunners pulled him back. Liverpool did the same to Mo Salah. Remember: This isn’t a fully-sanctioned FIFA international event, so club teams can do this.

But you will see 35-year-old goalkeeper Memo Ochoa for Mexico, who was also an Olympian in 2004, and Dani Alves of Barcelona for Brazil. And Manchester United cleared both Amad Diallo and Eric Bailly for the Ivory Coast.

Right now at DraftKings Sportsbook, Spain is the favorite to win the 16-team tournament at +250. Brazil is right behind at +300, with reigning World Cup holders France at +450.

Full Olympics schedule for Thursday, July 22nd by event

Gymnastics

9 p.m. ET (Wednesday)

Women’s Podium Training

Soccer

3:30 a.m. (Thursday)

Men’s Group C, No. 5: Egypt vs. Spain

4:00 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group A, No. 2: Mexico vs. France

4:00 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group B, No. 3: New Zealand vs. Republic of Korea

4:30 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group D, No. 8: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Saudi Arabia

6:30 a.m. (Thursday)

Men’s Group C, No. 6: Argentina vs. Australia

7:00 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group A, No. 1: Japan vs. South Africa

7:00 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group B, No. 4: Honduras vs. Romania

7:30 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Men’s Group D, No. 7: Brazil vs. Germany

Softball

8 p.m. ET (Wednesday)

Opening round: US vs. Canada

11 p.m. ET (Wednesday)

Opening round: Mexico vs. Japan

2 a.m. ET (Thursday)

Opening round: Italy vs. Australia