MAIN Sports 2012 Summer Olympics Football - Soccer

Whether you call it soccer or football, this sport is definitely one of the most popular around the globe and, of course, one of the most-watched events at the Summer Olympics.

The Olympic football schedule is also usually the most fast-paced, with up to eight games taking place on match days.

Although international football favorites Brazil, Argentina - and 2010 FIFA World Cup winners Spain - seem like sure bets for Olympic glory, special rules governing Olympic football traditionally handicap the action. That is, age limits for national team players are set to under 23 (with allowances for three over-age players.)

Adding to the lack of gold medal talent is that the European Championships are usually held in each Olympic year, which tends to siphon off some of the best players who might have otherwise competed in an Olympic venue. (Also see: Euro 2012.)

Also watch for Olympic teams from Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, and Serbia to compete as Olympic hopefuls in London in 2012.

And the USA team? Sadly, they were eliminated from Olympic competition this year after El Salvador ousted them from Olympic qualifying in March.

Olympic fun fact: Hungary has won three Olympic football gold medals - more than any other country.

More information about Olympic football around the Web:

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) - Easily navigable portal to international football-soccer with lots to explore in four languages, including complete coverage of Olympic events.

International Olympic Committee- Football - Along with the latest news on the football matches and players, competition format, equipment, glossary and history there are in-depth bios of Olympic football champions of the past.

US Soccer - This official site of US Olympic Soccer Team will keep you in the loop as the Women's Team USA makes their bid for another Olympic medal.

BBC Olympics - Football - Complete coverage of the games includes football events, players and teams, history, football lingo guide.

NBC Olympics - Soccer - U.S. TV schedule, team and athlete profiles, the latest updates and headline news, photo & video clips.

Soccer Olympics Wallpaper & Other Images - This is an image to use for your computer that replaces the Olympic rings with soccer balls. There are also online soccer games and other images for you to use. The computer games are not cutting edge, but they're fun.