Why does Great Britain not have an Olympics football team for Paris 2024? History of Team GB in soccer explained

Team GB are one of the most successful sides at the Olympic Games when it comes to men's football, with a joint-record number of gold medals. However, they will have no soccer representation at Paris 2024.

Despite the impressive record in Olympic football history, there will be no Team GB this summer in the men's or women's events. Their absence has become common, with the men's team having participated only once since 1960 and the women's team competing just twice since 1996.

A team made up of players from the United Kingdom would have a vast talent pool to draw from. England's men are ranked fourth in the world only behind Argentina, France and Spain. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have top-quality players who would undoubtedly make them strong contenders to win gold.

The Sporting News takes a look at why neither the men nor women's football tournaments will see British teams competing in Paris this summer. 

MORE: Where are Olympic soccer events being played?

Why does Great Britain not have an Olympics football team for Paris 2024?

The reason for only one Team GB men's football team in the past 64 years is the need for agreement among the home nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

While they compete as Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Olympics, they compete individually in FIFA and UEFA competitions, and each nation has its own Football Association (FA). Olympic participation therefore complicates and potentially jeopardises their FIFA and UEFA independence.

An exception was made for London 2012, for which a team featuring stars such as Ryan Giggs, Daniel Sturridge, Craig Bellamy, Micah Richards, and Aaron Ramsey was assembled. They finished top of their group but lost to South Korea on penalties at the quarterfinal stage. For these Games, then-FIFA president Sepp Blatter offered assurances that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland would not face any sanctions for joining Team GB.

Unlike on the men's side, the women can compete because England is the nominated nation to represent Team GB in football. However, they failed to qualify for this summer's Games as their performances in the UEFA Women's Nations League saw them fall short of qualification.

FT: Scotland 0-6 England

There will be no Team GB at the 2024 Olympics. An incredibly gutsy performance from the Lionesses isn’t enough to see them top the group after Netherlands scored two goals in stoppage time.

No comment.#SCOENG | #UWNL | #Lionesses pic.twitter.com/XcmTL9WLsT

— Everything England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@TheEngllshGame) December 5, 2023

Team GB football history at the Olympics

The men's football tournament at the Olympics has been held since 1900, with Team GB winning the first event 124 years ago and enjoying further victories in 1908 and 1912.

They've secured three gold medals in total, which is a record they share with Hungary.

Despite regular participation, their best finish post-1912 was when they came fourth at the 1948 London Games.

Team GB men's football all-time Olympics record

In women's football, Team GB first competed in 2012, following the event's introduction in 1996. This debut coincided with the London Olympics and while the men's team hasn't returned to action, the women competed again in 2020, reaching the quarterfinals as they did in eight years earlier.

Team GB women's football all-time Olympics record