# Football at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament – Group A

Group A of the men's football tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics was played from 22 to 28 July 2021 in Chōfu's Tokyo Stadium, Saitama's Saitama Stadium, Sapporo's Sapporo Dome and Yokohama's International Stadium Yokohama. The group consisted of France, host nation Japan, Mexico and South Africa. The top two teams, Japan and Mexico, advanced to the knockout stage.

## Teams

| Draw position | Team | Pot | Confederation | Method of qualification | Date of qualification | Olympic appearance | Last appearance | Previous best performance |
| A1 | Japan | 1 | AFC | Hosts | 7 September 2013 | 11th | 2016 | Bronze medalists (1968) |
| A2 | South Africa | 3 | CAF | 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations third place | 22 November 2019 | 3rd | 2016 | 11th place (2000) |
| A3 | Mexico | 2 | CONCACAF | 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship champions | 30 March 2021 | 12th | 2016 | Gold medalists (2012) |
| A4 | France | 4 | UEFA | 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-finalists | 27 June 2019 | 13th | 1996 | Gold medalists (1984) |

## Standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Japan (H) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | +6 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | Mexico | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 3 | France | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | −6 | 3 | |
| 4 | South Africa | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | −5 | 0 | |
In the quarter-finals,
* The winners of Group A, Japan, advanced to play the runners-up of Group B, New Zealand.
* The runners-up of Group A, Mexico, advanced to play the winners of Group B, South Korea.

## Matches
### Mexico vs France

| Mexico | France |
| GK | 13 | Guillermo Ochoa (c) |
| RB | 2 | Jorge Sánchez |
| CB | 3 | César Montes |
| CB | 5 | Johan Vásquez |
| LB | 14 | Érick Aguirre |
| CM | 7 | Luis Romo |
| CM | 8 | Carlos Rodríguez |
| RW | 10 | Diego Lainez | | 72' |
| AM | 17 | Sebastián Córdova | | 72' |
| LW | 11 | Alexis Vega | 20' | 84' |
| CF | 9 | Henry Martín | | 88' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 15 | Uriel Antuna | | 72' |
| MF | 16 | José Joaquín Esquivel | | 72' |
| FW | 21 | Roberto Alvarado | | 84' |
| FW | 18 | Eduardo Aguirre | | 88' |
| Head coach: ||
| Jaime Lozano ||
| GK | 1 | Paul Bernardoni |
| RB | 13 | Clément Michelin | 16' |
| CB | 2 | Pierre Kalulu |
| CB | 15 | Modibo Sagnan |
| LB | 17 | Anthony Caci | 75' | 90' |
| CM | 11 | Téji Savanier |
| CM | 6 | Lucas Tousart | | 60' |
| RW | 14 | Florian Thauvin | | 79' |
| AM | 8 | Enzo Le Fée |
| LW | 7 | Arnaud Nordin | | 60' |
| CF | 10 | André-Pierre Gignac (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 12 | Alexis Beka Beka | | 60' |
| FW | 18 | Randal Kolo Muani | | 60' |
| FW | 9 | Nathanaël Mbuku | | 79' |
| DF | 3 | Melvin Bard | | 90' |
| Head coach: ||
| Sylvain Ripoll ||
* Assistant referees:
* Anton Schetinin (Australia)
* George Lakrindis (Australia)
* Fourth official:
* Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia)
* Video assistant referee:
* Fu Ming (China PR)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Abdulkadir Bitigen (Turkey)

### Japan vs South Africa

| Japan | South Africa |
| GK | 12 | Kosei Tani |
| RB | 2 | Hiroki Sakai |
| CB | 5 | Maya Yoshida (c) |
| CB | 4 | Ko Itakura |
| LB | 3 | Yuta Nakayama | | 72' |
| CM | 6 | Wataru Endō | 37' |
| CM | 17 | Ao Tanaka |
| RW | 7 | Takefusa Kubo |
| AM | 8 | Koji Miyoshi | | 60' |
| LW | 10 | Ritsu Dōan | 57' | 85' |
| CF | 19 | Daichi Hayashi | | 72' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 16 | Yuki Soma | | 60' |
| MF | 13 | Reo Hatate | | 72' |
| FW | 18 | Ayase Ueda | | 72' |
| DF | 20 | Koki Machida | | 85' |
| Head coach: ||
| Hajime Moriyasu ||
| GK | 1 | Ronwen Williams |
| CB | 5 | Luke Fleurs |
| CB | 15 | Tercious Malepe (c) |
| CB | 17 | Thendo Mukumela | 79' |
| RWB | 13 | Reeve Frosler |
| LWB | 14 | Sibusiso Mabiliso |
| CM | 12 | Goodman Mosele | 90+1' |
| CM | 8 | Thabo Cele |
| CM | 4 | Teboho Mokoena |
| SS | 10 | Luther Singh |
| CF | 9 | Evidence Makgopa |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 18 | Kobamelo Kodisang | 79' |
| MF | 7 | Nkosingiphile Ngcobo | 90+1' |
| Head coach: ||
| David Notoane ||
* Assistant referees:
* Tulio Moreno (Venezuela)
* Lubin Torrealba (Venezuela)
* Fourth official:
* Kevin Ortega (Peru)
* Video assistant referee:
* Mauro Vigliano (Argentina)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Edvin Jurisevic (United States)

### France vs South Africa

| France | South Africa |
| GK | 1 | Paul Bernardoni |
| RB | 13 | Clément Michelin |
| CB | 2 | Pierre Kalulu |
| CB | 5 | Niels Nkounkou | 20' |
| LB | 17 | Anthony Caci |
| CM | 11 | Téji Savanier | 68' |
| CM | 6 | Lucas Tousart | | 69' |
| RW | 14 | Florian Thauvin | | 69' |
| AM | 18 | Randal Kolo Muani |
| LW | 9 | Nathanaël Mbuku | | 61' |
| CF | 10 | André-Pierre Gignac (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 8 | Enzo Le Fée | | 61' |
| FW | 7 | Arnaud Nordin | | 69' |
| MF | 12 | Alexis Beka Beka | | 69' |
| Head coach: ||
| Sylvain Ripoll ||
| GK | 1 | Ronwen Williams | 85' |
| CB | 3 | Katlego Mohamme |
| CB | 5 | Luke Fleurs |
| CB | 15 | Tercious Malepe (c) |
| RM | 13 | Reeve Frosler | | 83' |
| CM | 8 | Thabo Cele |
| CM | 4 | Teboho Mokoena | 16' | 83' |
| LM | 10 | Luther Singh |
| RF | 18 | Kobamelo Kodisang | | 78' |
| CF | 9 | Evidence Makgopa |
| LF | 7 | Nkosingiphile Ngcobo | | 65' |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 6 | Kamohelo Mahlatsi | | 65' |
| MF | 12 | Goodman Mosele | | 78' |
| DF | 17 | Thendo Mukumela | | 83' |
| DF | 2 | James Monyane | | 83' |
| Head coach: ||
| David Notoane ||
* Assistant referees:
* Michael Orué (Peru)
* Jesús Sánchez (Peru)
* Fourth official:
* Leodán González (Uruguay)
* Video assistant referee:
* Andrés Cunha (Uruguay)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Marco Guida (Italy)

### Japan vs Mexico

| Japan | Mexico |
| GK | 12 | Kosei Tani |
| RB | 2 | Hiroki Sakai | 47' |
| CB | 5 | Maya Yoshida (c) |
| CB | 4 | Ko Itakura |
| LB | 3 | Yuta Nakayama |
| CM | 6 | Wataru Endō |
| CM | 17 | Ao Tanaka | 48' |
| RW | 7 | Takefusa Kubo |
| AM | 10 | Ritsu Dōan | | 80' |
| LW | 16 | Yuki Soma | | 66' |
| CF | 19 | Daichi Hayashi | | 80' |
| Substitutions: ||
| FW | 9 | Daizen Maeda | | 66' |
| FW | 11 | Kaoru Mitoma | | 80' |
| FW | 18 | Ayase Ueda | | 80' |
| Head coach: ||
| Hajime Moriyasu ||
| GK | 13 | Guillermo Ochoa (c) |
| RB | 2 | Jorge Sánchez | 29' |
| CB | 3 | César Montes | 11' |
| CB | 5 | Johan Vásquez | 68' |
| LB | 14 | Érick Aguirre | | 43' |
| CM | 7 | Luis Romo |
| CM | 8 | Carlos Rodríguez | 25' | 57' |
| RW | 10 | Diego Lainez | | 67' |
| AM | 17 | Sebastián Córdova |
| LW | 11 | Alexis Vega | | 67' |
| CF | 9 | Henry Martín |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 6 | Vladimir Loroña | | 43' |
| MF | 16 | José Joaquín Esquivel | | 57' |
| FW | 15 | Uriel Antuna | | 67' |
| FW | 21 | Roberto Alvarado | | 67' |
| Head coach: ||
| Jaime Lozano ||
* Assistant referees:
* Rui Tavares (Portugal)
* Paulo Santos (Portugal)
* Fourth official:
* Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
* Video assistant referee:
* Guillermo Cuadra Fernández (Spain)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Adil Zourak (Morocco)

### France vs Japan

| France | Japan |
| GK | 1 | Paul Bernardoni |
| RB | 13 | Clément Michelin | 66' |
| CB | 4 | Timothée Pembélé | 58' | 62' |
| CB | 2 | Pierre Kalulu | | 62' |
| LB | 17 | Anthony Caci |
| DM | 12 | Alexis Beka Beka |
| CM | 11 | Téji Savanier | | 38' |
| CM | 6 | Lucas Tousart |
| AM | 14 | Florian Thauvin |
| CF | 18 | Randal Kolo Muani | 74' |
| CF | 10 | André-Pierre Gignac (c) |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 8 | Enzo Le Fée | | 38' |
| DF | 15 | Modibo Sagnan | | 62' |
| DF | 3 | Melvin Bard | | 62' |
| Head coach: ||
| Sylvain Ripoll ||
| GK | 12 | Kosei Tani |
| RB | 2 | Hiroki Sakai | 44' | 55' |
| CB | 5 | Maya Yoshida (c) |
| CB | 14 | Takehiro Tomiyasu | 22' |
| LB | 3 | Yuta Nakayama |
| DM | 6 | Wataru Endō | | 72' |
| CM | 17 | Ao Tanaka | | 80' |
| CM | 13 | Reo Hatate |
| RW | 7 | Takefusa Kubo | | 46' |
| LW | 10 | Ritsu Dōan | | 72' |
| CF | 18 | Ayase Ueda |
| Substitutions: ||
| MF | 8 | Koji Miyoshi | | 46' |
| DF | 15 | Daiki Hashioka | | 55' |
| FW | 16 | Yuki Soma | | 72' |
| DF | 4 | Ko Itakura | | 72' |
| FW | 9 | Daizen Maeda | | 80' |
| Head coach: ||
| Hajime Moriyasu ||
* Assistant referees:
* David Moran (El Salvador)
* Zachari Zeegelaar (Suriname)
* Fourth official:
* Dahane Beida (Mauritania)
* Video assistant referee:
* Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Bibiana Steinhaus (Germany)

### South Africa vs Mexico

| South Africa | Mexico |
| GK | 1 | Ronwen Williams |
| RB | 3 | Katlego Mohamme | 4' |
| CB | 5 | Luke Fleurs |
| CB | 15 | Tercious Malepe (c) | 57' |
| LB | 17 | Thendo Mukumela | | 67' |
| CM | 8 | Thabo Cele | 75' | 83' |
| CM | 4 | Teboho Mokoena |
| RW | 18 | Kobamelo Kodisang | | 61' |
| AM | 6 | Kamohelo Mahlatsi |
| LW | 10 | Luther Singh |
| CF | 9 | Evidence Makgopa | | 83' |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 13 | Reeve Frosler | | 61' |
| DF | 11 | MacBeth Mahlangu | | 67' |
| MF | 7 | Nkosingiphile Ngcobo | | 83' |
| MF | 12 | Goodman Mosele | | 83' |
| Head coach: ||
| David Notoane ||
| GK | 13 | Guillermo Ochoa (c) |
| CB | 2 | Jorge Sánchez | | 71' |
| CB | 3 | César Montes |
| CB | 4 | Jesús Alberto Angulo |
| RM | 6 | Vladimir Loroña |
| CM | 7 | Luis Romo |
| CM | 8 | Carlos Rodríguez | 66' |
| LM | 11 | Alexis Vega | | 77' |
| RF | 15 | Uriel Antuna | | 77' |
| CF | 9 | Henry Martín | | 75' |
| LF | 17 | Sebastián Córdova | | 71' |
| Substitutions: ||
| DF | 12 | Adrián Mora | | 71' |
| MF | 16 | José Joaquín Esquivel | | 71' |
| FW | 18 | Eduardo Aguirre | | 75' |
| FW | 19 | Jesús Ricardo Angulo | | 77' |
| FW | 10 | Diego Lainez | | 77' |
| Head coach: ||
| Jaime Lozano ||
* Assistant referees:
* Mark Rule (New Zealand)
* Tevita Makasini (Tahiti)
* Fourth official:
* Orel Grinfeld (Israel)
* Video assistant referee:
* Marco Guida (Italy)
* Assistant video assistant referee:
* Muhammad Taqi (Singapore)

## Discipline

Fair play points would have been used as a tiebreaker if the overall and head-to-head records of teams were tied. These were calculated based on yellow and red cards received in all group matches as follows:
* first yellow card: minus 1 point;
* indirect red card (second yellow card): minus 3 points;
* direct red card: minus 4 points;
* yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points;
Only one of the above deductions is applied to a player in a single match.
| Team | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 2 | Match 3 | Match 3 | Points |
| Japan | 2 | 2 | | 2 | | –6 |
| South Africa | | 2 | | 2 | 1 | –8 |
| France | 2 | 2 | | 2 | 1 | –10 |
| Mexico | 1 | 3 | 1 | | 1 | –12 |