With a healthy mix of familiar strength and fresh contenders, this year's Olympic field hockey tournament is a must-see. 

The men's and women's pool rounds, which feature 12 teams split into Pools A and B, begins July 27 and lasts through Aug. 3. The top four teams in each pool advance to the quarterfinals.

Before competition begins, here are some key teams to keep an eye on.

U.S. stands for Up-Start

After failing to qualify for Tokyo three years ago, the United States makes its return to the Olympics with one of the most promising American squads in recent history.

Captained by veterans Amanda Golini and Ashley Hoffman, who were both a part of the 2019 squad that won bronze at the Pan American Games, the Eagles comprise a young squad with no Olympic experience. Despite entering the FIH Olympic Qualifier in January as serious underdogs, they quickly proved they were not to be underestimated, opening tournament play with three straight shutouts against then-No. 6 India, Italy, and then-No. 11 New Zealand to win their group. In their semifinal against then-No. 9 Japan, the Americans came back from a one-goal deficit to clinch their first Olympic spot since 2016. Though they eventually fell to Germany in the final, seasoned netminder Kelsey Bing earned the title of best goalkeeper in the tournament for allowing just three goals in five games. A steady, near impenetrable presence in net, Bing will serve as the backbone of a spunky defense in Paris.

On offense, 21-year-old Abby Tamer will make her first national team appearance in her Olympic debut. the University of Michigan senior played a key role in the United States' successful qualifiers run, scoring the go-ahead goal in the Eagles' win over Japan. At the 2023 Pan American Games, Tamer's four goals, tied for fourth-most on the team, were crucial in the country's silver-winning effort. Ashley Sessa, the youngest member of Team USA, burst onto the collegiate field hockey scene last year with three goals in her first match with the University of North Carolina. 

The U.S. women's team has not won an Olympic medal since 1984 — the very first year the team competed. In the pool round, the team's toughest competition will likely come in the form of the dominant Argentinian and Australian crews, which are ranked second and fifth globally, respectively, by the International Hockey Federation, but the Eagles' impressive showing in the Olympic Qualifier confirmed they are up for the challenge.

Queen Netherlands reigns

With nine total Olympic medals in 10 total appearances, the Dutch are the most successful Olympic women's field hockey program in history. They've made the podium in the last seven Olympics, most recently cruising to gold in Tokyo, downing Australia 3-1 in the final game. Shortly after, the Oranje took home another first-place prize at the 2022 World Cup. Since then, the legendary program has claimed the top spot in the 2023 EuroHockey National Championship, the 2022-23 FIH Pro League Championship and the 2023-24 Pro League Championship. 

However, the Netherlands squad will be missing some familiar faces in Paris — most notably, four-time Olympians (and the most decorated athletes in Olympic women's field hockey history) Eva de Goede and Lidewij Welten, as well as Australian Olympian and coach Alyson Annan, who left the position in 2022 after eight years with the program. Annan now sits at the helm in China.

Old teams, new faces

Since welcoming Annan to their squad, China has markedly and consistently been on the rise. Since finishing the 2021-2022 Pro League season in eighth place, the Steel Roses improved to seventh the following season and fifth in their most recent campaign. They clinched gold in the 2022 Asian Games for their best finish since 2010 and nabbed bronze in the Asian Champions Trophy. 

While China hasn't won an Olympic medal since 2008 — the country's only prize in field hockey — it's a squad to keep an eye on in Paris and in the years to come.

Not-so perennial powers?

Though the storied men's squad that once won six consecutive gold medals between 1928 and 1956 is no more, there's no reason to count India out just yet. In Tokyo, India returned to the podium after 41 years, claiming bronze. With new coach and South African Olympian Craig Fulton, who joined the Indian program after helping Belgium to gold as an assistant coach in Tokyo, the Men in Blue may be on the up-and-up. 

However, India's positioning in Pool B, or what's colloquially referred to as the "pool of death" — marked by new and old adversaries like Belgium and Australia — means the Men in Blue certainly have their work cut out for them.

On the Belgian note: The golden generation of players that propelled the Red Lions to the podium in both Rio and Tokyo may be on its last hoorah. Ten of the team's 19 players are 30 or older, and just four athletes are under 25, raising the question of whether or not they'll be able to keep up with some of the younger programs.

If the most recent major competitions are any indication, the answer to that question is yes. Following its 4-0-1 performance in Tokyo's pool round, Belgium found its way onto the podium at the 2023 FIH Hockey World Cup, taking home silver. The Red Lions, who are now ranked third globally, also came out on top of the Olympic Qualifier in Valencia, Spain, earlier this year. 

A likely podium

Marked by a younger squad with just three players over 30 and eight that are 25 or younger, the Dutch are nearly unstoppable. Since their sixth-place finish in Tokyo, they've seen a precipitous rise to the top of the global rankings, placing third in the 2023 World Cup, first at the 2023 EuroHockey Championship, recording just two losses this season, and joining the podium in three FIH Pro League titles — two first-place finishes and one second-place finish. Since January 2024, they've only suffered two international losses, with a 7-game win streak between Feb. 19 and June 27 that was finally snapped by Belgium. 

The Dutch men haven't won an Olympic medal since they took home silver in 2012 (their last gold was in 2000), but they're the heavy gold favorites entering Paris. Should both the men's and women's squads bring home the top prize, Netherlands would become the first country in Olympic field hockey to accomplish the feat and tie India for most combined gold medals with eight.

With several members of the Tokyo silver-medalist crew returning, Australia head to Paris as another medal favorite. Like Belgium, the Kookaburras posted a 4-0-1 record through the pool round in Tokyo, eventually falling to Belgium in a shootout in the gold medal game. The program holds 10 Olympic medals -- second only to India's 12 -- but only one gold. With a mix of young talent and veteran influence comprising this year's Olympic squad and a first-place finish in the FIH Pro League over the Netherlands, Australia could easily snag the top spot at this year's competition. 

"Dormez-vous" on France?

Are you sleeping on France, like the header suggests? Well, don't.

Though the country has never won an Olympic medal in field hockey, Les Bleus have seen significant success so far this season. They finished second in the 2024 FIH Hockey Nations Cup, taking New Zealand to a shootout in the final match. French defender Victor Charlet was the top scorer in the tournament, and Arthur Thieffry earned "Goalkeeper of the Tournament" honors. Though they'll find a tricky opponent in the Netherlands, they're a scrappy crew that shouldn't be counted out.