London, March 3 (IANS) The Football Association (FA) of England is planning to enter its men’s and women’s teams for the 2016 Rio Olympics and has invited Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to join in.
“We have received confirmation from the FA of their intention,” a British Olympic Association official said. To qualify, England women will have to finish as one of the top-three European teams in the World Cup this summer, reports Xinhua.
Meanwhile, a top-four finish for England in the European Under-21 Championship will see the men’s side get there.
Home players featured in Great Britain sides at the 2012 London Games despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland associations refusing to officially take part. Five Welsh players were in the men’s squad while two Scottish players made the women’s squad.