We haven’t seen a men’s GB football team since London 2012
The British Olympic Association want Team GB to send a men’s football team to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
A men’s team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland has not competed at the Olympics since London 2012 where a squad made up of Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Jack Butland and many other well known players joined forces under one banner.
In London, the 18-man squad was made up of 13 English players and five Welsh players with Olympic squad only allowing U23 players with the exception of three overage players.
GB have a solid pedigree in Olympic football, winning gold three times in the modern Olympics’ early days and a fourth place finish under legendary manager Sir Matt Busby in 1948.
Between 1948 and 1972, GB had a football team present at every games, up until the nations of the United Kingdom, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, started to fear for their independence in FIFA and UEFA competitions.
An exception was made in 2012 as GB were the host nation, making a special effort to pull together a team under the leadership of Stuart Pierce, despite opposition from the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FAs.
It is uncertain what the attitude among players towards a men’s GB squad would be when LA 2028 comes round.
Chief executive of BOA, Andy Anson, explained that it would be “brilliant for football” to field a men’s GB football team in America in four years time.
He said: “I think for the women’s team to compete is brilliant, and I’d love to see the men’s team compete in the same way.
He added: “It’s something I would dearly love to see happen.
“I would like to work with the FA, with the SFA, with the Welsh and the Northern Irish FA, if we can make it happen. It would be brilliant.”
In the case of the women, they did not have a team at Paris 2024 because their team must qualify for the competition due to its higher standing in the women’s game, however they failed to do so.
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The Scottish FA have responded to the rumours in a statement outlining their stance.
It read: “The SFA’s position regarding Team GB remains unchanged but, as in previous years, we would not stand in the way of individuals who may wish to participate in any Olympic Games.”
Many players may not be so keen on an Olympic campaign in 2028 with the Euros being held in the UK and Ireland only weeks before, meaning most players will be focusing on that milestone.
However, the Olympics offer a unique opportunity for young players and other players who may not make the national team set up normally.
