After England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland fielded a unified British men’s team for the first time since the 1960 Olympics, it sounds like the four countries will once again part ways and field independent squads for the 2016 Olympics.
“We fought hard to get a team representing Britain when the Games was based here in London,” British FA secretary Alex Horne told the AP. “But I don’t see us repeating that for the men’s team in Rio.’'
There wasn’t much enthusiasm for the continued unification after the men lost to South Korea on penalty kicks in London’s quarterfinals.
There were also concerns from the three countries not named England that the formation would jeopardize each team’s independent standing with FIFA, which governs the World Cup.
The women’s team, which also failed to medal, may not follow suit. They’re still hoping to put together a team for Rio that could take on the strong teams from America, Japan, and Canada that have dominated the lady’s soccer scene during the last few years.
