TEAM GB chiefs want to see a British men’s football team at the 2028 Olympics.

England’s Lionesses were one goal away from qualifying GB for Paris having reached the last eight in Tokyo.

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The London Games of 2012 was the only time since 1960 that a GB men’s side has taken part, in a squad including Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Danny Rose and managed by Stuart Pearce.

The Scottish and Welsh FAs had admitted to concerns that forming a GB side would threaten their independent status with Fifa.

But the world body are now actively encouraging more nations rather than fewer.

There are now seven nations representing the former Yugoslavia while the break-up of the Soviet Union means Uefa now has 55 members.

And Team GB bosses will push for a change of stance.

They will be backed strongly by the FA, who are keen to embrace the opportunity.

British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson said: “It’s something I would dearly love to happen.

“I would like to work with FA, with the Scottish FA, with the Welsh and the Northern Irish FA, if we can make it happen.

“It would be brilliant for football, for youth football, and football in general.

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“Seeing the women’s team compete is brilliant.

“And I would love to see the men’s team compete in the same way.”

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Anson suggested that the willingness of the cricket, golf and other home nations sports governing bodies to come together under the Team GB label was a potential blueprint for getting an agreement in place for football.

He added: “We’ve got good experience in golf, in rugby, in women’s football, of how the four nations can come together and nominate one country to be the main qualifying body, and work with the other countries.”