Here are the Rio Olympics events you should watch today

United States' Carli Lloyd takes a shot at the Costa Rica goal during a CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament soccer match in Frisco, Texas, Feb. 10, 2016. (Tony Gutierrez/AP)

United States midfielder Megan Rapinoe dribbles against Mexico during a soccer friendly match at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., May 17, 2015. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)

The Rio Olympics opening ceremony may not be until Friday and events don’t get into full swing until Saturday, but there are a handful of events that technically kick off (quite literally) today and Thursday.

Women’s soccer begins today and men’s soccer begins Thursday.

Sweden and South Africa kicked off the Olympic opener this morning.

The United States women’s national team will face New Zealand later today as they begin their mission toward a World Cup-Olympics sweep and hopes to take their fourth straight Olympic gold medal.

Here’s today’s full schedule and how you can watch.

(all times Pacific)

NBCSN — Women’s Soccer

• Sweden vs. South Africa— 8:30 a.m.
• Canada vs. Australia — 11 a.m.
• U.S. vs. New Zealand — 3 p.m.
• France vs. Colombia (LIVE) — 6 p.m.

USA — Women’s Soccer

• Brazil vs. China (LIVE) — Noon
• Zimbabwe vs. Germany (LIVE) — 2 p.m.

NBC SOCCER CHANNEL — Women’s Soccer

• Sweden vs. South Africa (LIVE) — 9 a.m.
• Canada vs. Australia (LIVE) — 11 a.m.
• Brazil vs. China — 1 p.m.
• U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE) — 3 p.m.
• Zimbabwe vs. Germany — 5 p.m.
• France vs. Colombia (LIVE) — 6 p.m.
• U.S. vs. New Zealand (Encore) — 8 p.m.

NBC UNIVERSO — Women’s Soccer

• Brazil vs. China — 3 p.m.
• U.S. vs. New Zealand — 6 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Contact Kira Terry at kterry@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kiraterry