While professionals are permitted in the men's event, the regulations limit teams to players under the age of 23, with three exceptions. The women's competition has no age limitations.

Women's football made its debut at the Atlanta Games in 1996, with an eight-team competition. Since then, the event has grown in popularity, with ten teams competing at the Athens Games and 12 teams competing in Beijing. A total of 16 teams will compete in the men's event.

Football, often known as the Olympic Football Tournament, has been a men's competition sport at the Summer Olympics since 1896, with the exception of the inaugural Games in 1896 and 1932, when it was added to promote the new FIFA World Cup tournament. At the 1996 Atlanta Games, women's football was added to the official program.

In order to avoid clashing with the World Cup, FIFA has placed a number of limits on elite players' participation in the men's event.

The rule that men's tournament squads must consist of players under the age of 23 has three exceptions.