British Olympic Officials Push for Men’s Football Team in 2028

British Olympic officials aim to enter a men’s football team in the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The British Olympic Association (BOA) is working to unite the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to form a Team GB men’s squad for the first time since the London 2012 Olympics. Although the Team GB women’s team can qualify for the Olympics, they did not secure a spot for Paris 2024.

Historically, Great Britain fielded a men’s team at every Olympics from 1948 to 1972. However, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland resisted due to concerns that participating as a single team could jeopardize their independence in FIFA and UEFA competitions. BOA Chief Executive Andy Anson expressed enthusiasm about forming a Team GB men’s team, calling it “brilliant for football.”

He emphasized the benefits of having both the men’s and women’s teams compete on the Olympic stage. In 2012, a Team GB men’s squad, with 13 English and five Welsh players, competed as a host nation entry in what was considered a one-off event. The BOA may face challenges such as potential opposition from clubs unwilling to release players during a congested summer schedule.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will take place from July 14-30, right after the Euro 2028 final at Wembley and just before the new league season starts. This tight schedule could complicate efforts to field a Team GB men’s football team.