Today's NBC Olympics TV schedule: Thursday, August 4, 2016

Although the Opening Ceremonies aren't until Friday, the Olympics have already officially started.

The soccer competition begins a few days early because so many games have to be played in a short period of time. After the women's tournament kicked things off on Wednesday, now it's time for the men's teams to take the field.

That means it's time to see whether Brazil superstar Neymar can help the host country win the only men's soccer title it has never achieved: Olympic gold. Brazil faces South Africa at 3 p.m. on NBCSN, NBC Universo and NBC's Olympic soccer specialty channel.

In primetime, NBC airs a one-hour special previewing major storylines across the Olympics.

Here are Thursday's full listings. All event broadcasts are live except for those noted with an asterisk, and all times are Eastern.

If you want to watch online, all events are streamed live at NBCOlympics.com and in Spanish at TelemundoDeportes.com. Access is free with authentication through participating pay-TV providers.

8 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Olympics preview special

12 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Men's soccer, Iraq vs. Denmark
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Men's soccer, Brazil vs. South Africa
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Men's soccer, Portugal vs. Argentina
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Men's soccer, Fiji vs. South Korea
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Men's soccer, Nigeria vs. Japan

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Men's soccer, Honduras vs. Algeria
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Men's soccer, Mexico vs. Germany
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Men's soccer, Sweden vs. Colombia

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Men's soccer, Iraq vs. Denmark
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Men's soccer, Iraq vs. Denmark (encore)
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Men's soccer, Brazil vs. South Africa
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Men's soccer, Portugal vs. Argentina
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Men's soccer, Fiji vs. South Korea
9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Men's soccer, Nigeria vs. Japan
11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.: Men's soccer, Honduras vs. Algeria*
12:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.: Men's soccer, Mexico vs. Germany*
2 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.: Men's soccer, Sweden vs. Colombia*

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: News, Football Preview Show
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Men's soccer, Honduras vs. Algeria
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Men's soccer, Mexico vs. Germany

2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: News
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Men's soccer, Brazil vs. South Africa