[1] After the creation of the FIFA World Cup, it was agreed that Olympic football would become exclusively amateur,[4] leading to the team competing again in the 1936 Games, this time incorporating players from other Home Nations.

After the break caused by World War II, the team then competed in every games from 1948 until 1972, albeit failing to qualify for the main tournament after 1960.

The FA was formed in London 1863, when thirteen teams met to draw up a shared rule list for football, in order to facilitate matches between clubs.

[3] For the 1908 Olympic Games in London, the FA persuaded the IOC to include an official football tournament, which they organised.

[19] The tournament formed part of a rift which developed between the FA, who wanted the Olympics to remain an amateur only competition, and FIFA, who were keen on having a full football world championship.

By this time, it was recognised that Britain's amateur players were not of the same quality as they had been in earlier years, due to the rise of the professional game.

[23] Manager Matt Busby trained a squad made up of players from all of the 'home nations',[23] and Britain progressed to the semi-final with wins over the Netherlands and France.

[26] In 1974, the Football Association stopped recognising a distinction between professionals and amateurs, with all player subsequently registered simply as 'players', whether paid or unpaid.

[32] Due to the success of the London 2012 Olympic bid, the United Kingdom gained the right to enter a team in the football tournament as host nation.

The SFA's opposition to the plans were rooted primarily in the fear that the Home Nations would be forced to field a combined team in all competitions.

A 2005 opinion poll published by the BOA claimed that a majority of Scots supported the creation of a British team for the 2012 Olympics.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown stated during the 2008 Olympics that he wanted a British team and would work towards that happening, although he acknowledged that it could affect the autonomy of the Home Nations.

[40] FIFA President Sepp Blatter initially assured each of the British Associations that their status would not be affected by fielding a combined team in 2012.

[41] The SFA refused to change its position, arguing that Blatter's personal opinion and permission might not matter once he has left office, and that they did not wish to jeopardise their status.

[44] The executive committee confirmed that the participation in the 2012 London Olympic Games of a single team representing Great Britain would not affect the existing individual status of the four British football associations.

[7] Eligible non-English players such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey expressed their desire to play in the squad, having posed for a photo-shoot wearing the replica shirts of the team.

[56] The draw was held on 24 April 2012 and added Uruguay, United Arab Emirates and Senegal to Great Britain's group.

[69][71] Jim Boyce of Northern Ireland, then a vice-president of FIFA, said that he had an assurance that any future Great Britain teams would require the consent of all home nations.

[73] British Olympic Association vice-chairman and former sports minister Sir Hugh Robertson further stated: "From the British Olympic Committee's perspective, we would love to see Team GB football", whilst new England senior team manager Sam Allardyce stated: "To turn it down is a great shame.

[74] FIFA subsequently approved the idea of a Great Britain team for the 2020 games, but opposition from the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FAs continued.

"[74] An agreement was reached between the four associations for a women's team to be entered in the 2020 Summer Olympics, with qualification depending on England's performance in the 2019 World Cup, but this did not affect men's football.

[76] Following Tokyo 2020, Sky Sports reported that the British Olympic Association had hoped to have a men's team at Paris 2024.

[78] Following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Olympics, negotiations restarted for Great Britain to be brought back from hiatus for Los Angeles 2028.

[82] The FAW did not want their players involved in the GB squad for the London Olympics because they were concerned it could undermine their status as an independent footballing nation.

[83] Welsh fans also unfurled a "NO TEAM GB" banner following a 4–1 win over Norway for Wales at the Cardiff City Stadium.

[83] Aaron Ramsey said via Twitter "'Relax everyone, there is absolutely no way I would play in the Olympic team if it was going to affect Wales' identity as an individual nation!".

[85] Whilst playing for a GB football team, Welsh players Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy, Joe Allen and Neil Taylor were criticised for not singing "God save the Queen".

[87] The front of the shirt is modelled on the right-hand side of a union flag, with the colours consisting of white and various shades of blue in keeping with the design of the uniforms in other sports.

[89] The crest is on the left breast of the shirt, and consists of a white shield with the generic Team GB logo in blue, with the words London 2012 below it.

[91] The Great Britain squad for the 2012 Olympic Games was announced on 2 July 2012, with Ryan Giggs named as captain.