Why is there no Team GB men's football side?

If you thought you'd had your fill of international football this summer, think again.

Following Euro 2024 and the Copa America, it's now the turn of the Summer Olympics to wow audiences across the world. While not as prestigious as the other tournaments that have taken place over the past six weeks, it still offers supporters their fix of football before the new season begins.

However, United Kingdom-based fans of football at the Olympics won't be able to watch the men's Team GB side at this summer's event. They haven't qualified, meaning Brits will have to pick a different team to support over the next two-and-a-half weeks.

But why are the men's Great Britain side not playing football at the Olympics?

Why Team GB are not involved in Summer Olympics men's football

Great Britain's men's football team have not entered the qualification process for the Summer Olympics since 1972 and haven't appeared at the competition since the 1960 Olympics in Italy.

The reason behind this is because Team GB needs to be made up of players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the four home nations failing to agree on fielding a team for past tournaments. While the four nations compete individually in FIFA and UEFA competitions, that is not possible in the Olympics.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have reportedly worried about their ability to compete as independent nations at major tournaments should they continue to represent Team GB at the Olympics.

However, Great Britain assembled a team for the 2012 London Olympics as a one-off. A squad managed by Stuart Pearce that consisted of the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Ryan Giggs was knocked out by South Korea in the quarter-final on penalties.

What is Great Britain's record in men's football?

No nation has won the men's gold in football more than Great Britain. Admittedly Team GB haven't being crowned champions since 1912, but they have won the tournament three times - a joint-record with Hungary.

With Hungary not playing at the 2024 Olympics, Great Britain's record is still safe for now - although Argentina can match it by winning gold this year.

When is men's football at the 2024 Summer Olympics?

Men's football at the 2024 Olympics kicks off on Wednesday 24 July, with the final commencing on Friday 9 August.

The tournament begins with the group stages and the quarter-finals will all be played on Friday 2 August, exactly a week before the showpiece event. The two semi-finals will take place on Monday 5 August.

There will be a third-placed match as nations fight for bronze, which will occur the day before the final.

Format for men's football at 2024 Summer Olympics

There will be 16 countries competing for the men's gold at the Olympics, with the group stage consisting of four groups of four. Each side will play one another once and the two teams that finish top of the group will qualify for the quarter-finals. From then on, it's a straightforward knockout process.

However, the competing nations won't simply send their best players to Paris. Squads must be comprised of under-23 players (born on or after 1 January 2001), with only three older players allowed for each side.

Expect to see some unusual lineups, even among the big-hitting nations such as France, Spain and Argentina.

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