British Olympic chiefs target 2028 men’s football

British Olympic chiefs are hoping to enter a men’s football team into the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) is planning to unite the England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Football Associations in fielding a first Team GB men’s side since London 2012.

The Team GB women’s squad are eligible for qualification, but did not qualify for Paris 2024.

Great Britain entered a men’s team from every Games between 1948 to 1972 but were then met with resistance by Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, who felt their independence in Fifa and Uefa competitions could be jeopardised if they competed as a single team at the Olympics.

BOA chief executive Andy Anson said a Team GB men’s side at the US-hosted Games in four years would be “brilliant for football”.

“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.

A Team GB men’s squad, featuring 13 English and five Welsh players, did compete for the host nation in what was seen as a one-off for the London Olympics in 2012.

In addition to the nations, the BOA could also face opposition from clubs, who may not be keen to release their players in a congested summer period.

The 2028 LA Olympics will take place between 14-30 July, just days after the Euro 2028 final at Wembley and a few weeks before the start of the new league season.