Joe Bell to Represent New Zealand at Paris Olympics

NEW ZEALAND — Joe Bell, a former standout midfielder for the Virginia men’s soccer team, has been selected as one of three over-age players to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Under competition regulations, men’s Olympic squads are limited to 18 players, at least 15 of which must be under the age of 23. Bell is one of three permitted over-age selections alongside Michael Boxall and Sarpreet Singh.

Bell is set to make his second appearance in the Olympics after representing New Zealand at the Tokyo games in 2021. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes all four matches, helping guide the All Whites through the group stage before going out on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Bell wore the Cavalier shirt for three seasons (2017-19). As a junior in 2019, Bell led his team to the College Cup Final and was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy. He became the first-ever Cavalier to be named Top Drawer Soccer’s Player of the Year, United Soccer Coaches Scholar Player of the Year, and ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Over his three-season collegiate career, Bell started all 60 games in which he appeared and accounted for 30 points (10 goals, 10 assists).

New Zealand has been drawn in Group A at the tournament alongside hosts France, Guinea and Team USA. The All Whites will start their campaign on Wednesday (July 24) against Guinea (11 a.m. ET), before facing off with Team USA on July 27 (1 p.m. ET). They will conclude the group stage on Tuesday (July 30) against France (1 p.m. ET).

New Zealand Men’s Soccer Schedule (Group A)