Why isn’t Alex Morgan playing for USWNT against Germany at 2024 Olympics in Paris?

The United States women’s national team (USWNT) continue their pursuit of a record-extending fifth Olympic soccer gold today, as the Stars and Stripes take on Germany in a heavyweight semi-final at the Stade de Lyon. In their first major tournament under head coach Emma Hayes, the USWNT are bidding to end a 12-year wait for another Olympic gold, having been restricted to one bronze medal over the past two Summer Games.

While Hayes has selected a number of experienced players for the Paris 2024 women’s soccer tournament, including goalkeeper Alyssa Neher, midfielder Lindsey Horan and attacker Crystal Dunn, arguably the biggest-name American star, Alex Morgan, won’t be playing in France.

Is the women’s Olympic soccer tournament also for under-23s?

The women’s Olympic soccer tournament differs significantly from the men’s in terms of player eligibility.

According to 2024 Olympic regulations for the men’s tournament, each national team can select a maximum of three players over the age of 23, while the rest of the 18-man squad (plus four reserves) must consist of players born on or after January 1, 2001.

As a result, the likes of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams weren’t part of the Team USA roster, having taken part in the 2024 Copa América earlier this summer.

Hayes leads USWNT generational handover

However, there are no such restrictions for the women’s tournament, as the Olympics aren’t held in the same year as other major international tournaments. That means Hayes, in theory, had the chance to pick as strong an 18-player squad as she wanted.

Even so, Morgan hasn’t been selected. The 34-year-old appears to be the most high-profile victim of the USWNT going through a generational change following their 2023 Women’s World Cup elimination in the round of 16, their worst ever performance in the tournament.

Thirty-three-year-old defender Casey Krueger is the oldest outfield player selected by Hayes, with 10 of the 18 members of the squad aged 26 and under.

USWNT vs Germany: live AS USA coverage, how to watch

You’ll be able to follow live-text commentary of the USWNT vs Germany right here at AS USA. TV viewers in the US can watch the game on USA Network, NBC Sports app, NBCSports.com, Telemundo, Telemundo Deportes en Vivo and Peacock. If you don’t have cable, your streaming options also include fuboTV, which offers users a free trial.

Stream the Olympic soccer live on fuboTV.

USA out to replicate group-stage dominance over Germans

After edging past Japan with a 1-0 extra-time win in the quarter-finals, the USWNT now face Germany for the second time at the Paris Olympics. On their way to topping Group C with a 100% record, the Americans beat the DFB-Frauenteam 4-1, with Sophia Smith bagging a brace in a comprehensive victory.

Having finished second behind the USWNT, Germany set up a semi-final match-up with the four-time champions by beating Canada on penalties in the last eight, after a 0-0 draw in Marseille.