While the Canadian women’s team brought home an Olympic bronze medal in 2012, it’s been quite some time since the men’s side even participated in the Games.

Canada begins play this week in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, looking to book its place at the Games for the first time since 1984.

Here are a few things you need to know about the Canadian team and this Olympic qualifying competition.

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HOW THE TOURNAMENT WORKS

The eight-team field is divided into two round-robin groups. The top two teams in each group advance to the semifinals. The tournament finalists automatically qualify for the Olympics.

The two teams that lose in the semifinals will square off in the third-place match. The winner of that match will meet South American qualifier Colombia next March in a playoff. The winner qualifies for the Olympics.

Canada is in Group A with the United States, Panama and Cuba. Group B consists of Mexico, Honduras, Haiti and Costa Rica.

SCHEDULE

Canada opens Group A play against the U.S. on Oct. 1 and then faces Panama two days later—both matches are in Kansas City. The Reds close out the group stage vs. Cuba on Oct. 6 in Denver.

The semifinals are scheduled for Oct. 10. The third place-game and final take place on Oct. 13. All knockout games will be staged in Sandy, Utah.

MAKEUP OF THE TEAM

The majority of the players on Canada’s team play their pro soccer for clubs in MLS and the USL, but there are a few European-based players, too.

Although this is an under-23 squad, there are players who have experience with Canada’s senior team, including midfielders Samuel Piette and Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare.

Orlando City rookie Cyle Larin, as well at Kianz Froese and Sam Adekugbe of the Vancouver Whitecaps were unavailable for Canada due to club commitments.

West Ham United defender Doneil Henry is injured.

THE COACH

Canadian senior team coach Benito Floro will take charge of Canada’s under-23 side for this Olympic qualifying tournament.

"We believe that if our players do well with how we want them to play with their pressing and in the attack, we stand a good chance of qualifying for the Olympics," Floro said.

CANADA’S OLYMPIC DROUGHT

Canada hasn’t participated in an Olympic tournament since the 1984 Games in Los Angeles when the Reds bowed out to Brazil in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals.

That Canadian team featured players such as Bob Lenarduzzi, Dale Mitchell and Bruce Wilson.

CANADA’S ROSTER

• Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Montreal Impact), Quillan Roberts (Toronto FC), Ricky Gomes (Sport Clube de Mirandela/Portugal).

• Defenders: Johnny Grant (FC Montreal), Giuliano Frano (Seattle Sounders II), Jackson Farmer (Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2) Luca Gasparotto (Greenock Morton/Scotland), Skylar Thomas (Toronto FC II).

• Midfielders: Chris Mannella (Toronto FC), Mauro Eustaquio (Ottawa Fury FC), Jay Chapman (Toronto FC), Michael Petrasso (Queens Park Rangers/England), Samuel Piette (Deportivo La Coruna/Spain), Ben Fisk (Deportivo La Coruna B/Spain), Molham Babouli (Toronto FC II), Hanson Boakai (FC Edmonton), Dylan Carreiro (Dundee/Scotland).

• Forwards: Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Montreal Impact), Caleb Clarke (Vancouver Whitecaps) Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (Montreal Impact).