Olympic Soccer Soccer was an exhibition sport at the 1st Olympic Games in Greece in 1896. Since the 2nd Olympic Games in 1900, soccer has been an official sport. The statutes of the International Olympic Committee stipulate that only amateur soccer players may compete in the Olympic Games.

After several changes, in 1984, FIFA made the decision that players from Europe and South America who had played in the World Cup finals were not allowed to participate in the Olympic soccer tournament; in 1988, FIFA built on this and made the following provisions: the age limit of Olympic soccer players is 23 years old or less, and each team is allowed to have three over-age players.