Why there’s no Team GB football side at the Paris 2024 Olympics

No British men’s or women’s team will be playing football at the Paris Olympics

Euro 2024 has passed and football fanatics want the next tournament to feast their eyes on, in what is due to remain an action-packed summer of sport. Sadly for Brits though, there will be no British men or women playing football at the Paris Olympics.

Plenty of Premier League stars are performing, with a chaotic Morocco victory over Argentina kicking off the tournament yesterday.

Julian Alvarez featured, whilst former Man City defender Nicolas Otamendi captained the side.

As for hosts France, they easily dispatched USA with goals from Alexandre Lacazette, Bayern’s new prodigy Michael Olise and Loic Bade.

Despite the action starting, there will be no Team GB football sides at the Olympics this time around.

In 2012, the men’s team had some famous names including now Wales manager Craig Bellamy, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge and Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs.

Why is there no men’s side?

The reason for there being no men’s side present is due to fears from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland that playing as a single nation in Great Britain could jeopardise the ability to compete individually at other international tournaments.

At the Olympics, the four nations would rather have one team representing them, however these fears prevent that.

Britain have not played with a men’s football team on foreign soil in the Olympics since 1960.

Why is there no women’s side?

Team GB have had a women’s side present to two of the last three Olympics, meaning their absence is for a different reason.

Instead, the women’s team failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

England, the highest ranked women’s team among the four home nations, were responsible for landing any prospective British contingent the place at this summer’s tournament through the Women’s Nations League.