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Team GB will be missing from the men's football event at the 2024 Paris Olympics – and their would-be foes should be glad.

A discrepancy in how football is run from England to Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland means Britain's best have not been made available to compete in France. The respective governing bodies reached an agreement to field a team when the Summer Games were held on home soil at London 2012, but the men's side haven't made an Olympic appearance since then.

That'll be much to the delight of their prospective opponents, no doubt, considering the depth of Under-23 talent that's emerging around Britain. Olympic football squads must meet that age criteria with the exception of three players who can be born before January 1, 2001 – the cut-off date for all other entrants in each 18-man squad.

As was the case 12 years ago, England would inevitably dominate any Olympic XI save for a few anomalies from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Mirror Sport has crafted what could have been a mighty XI capable of challenging for Olympic gold, discounting those carrying injuries this summer and the vast majority of those who travelled to Germany for Euro 2024.

GK: James Trafford (21)

Not even Premier League relegation with Burnley was enough to put a dent in Trafford's reputation as a future England No. 1. Speculation suggests the former Manchester City prospect could even make a swift return to the top flight, with several Premier League clubs reportedly interested in his signature.

The 21-year-old impressed so much that he even made Gareth Southgate's preliminary squad for Euro 2024 before missing the final cut. However, he's a standout option among Britain's up-and-coming keepers.

RB: Rico Lewis (19)

Rico Lews could have been Team GB's young prodigy this summer ( Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Already well-established in Pep Guardiola's Manchester City set-up, Lewis pips Tino Livramento to the right-back spot on the basis of the latter's injury record. And despite being the youngest player in our potential Team GB XI, the senior-capped international has displayed the character of a player way beyond his 19 years.

Lewis also brings the added benefit of being a viable option in midfield in what would be an invaluable resource given the restricted 18-player squads.

LB: Levi Colwill (21)

Like Lewis, Chelsea star Colwill has already amassed plenty of Premier League experience in several positions. However, natural central defender takes on his lesser-used left-back responsibilities to get the most out of our Team GB line-up.

It was in that role that Colwill started last season under Mauricio Pochettino and even captained the Blues to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United. However, he'd be targeting a more successful turn in Paris as a candidate for the GB armband.

CB: Jarrad Branthwaite (22)

Many were left wondering why Jarrad Branthwaite missed out on a place at Euro 2024 ( Getty Images)

Olympic gold would be no bad consolation for Branthwaite after controversially missing out on a spot on Southgate's squad for Euro 2024. Many believed the Everton star had done enough to earn his place ahead of someone like unused Lewis Dunk, but a shot at Summer Games glory could have provided a silver lining.

Instead, though, his pre-season has been dominated by transfer talk, with Manchester United still keeping tabs on him after seeing two bids rejected.

CB: Jarell Quansah (21)

Another Merseyside-based player who missed out on Euro 2024 selection at the last hurdle, Liverpool's Quansah was unfortunate to not make the cut in his own right. A breakthrough campaign at Anfield saw him amass 33 first-team appearances in Jurgen Klopp's final season with the Reds, and it appears the German has brought through yet another gem.

As has been a theme among Liverpool's star products in recent years, Quansah has displayed rare composure on the ball for a defender of his age, which is perhaps only natural when one has Virgil van Dijk for a mentor. Not only that, but the 21-year-old showed an eye for goal after netting twice in 17 Premier league appearances this past term.

CM: Adam Wharton (20)

Adam Wharton has enjoyed a whirlwind 12 months ( 2024 The FA)

Some considered it a crime that Wharton travelled to Germany but didn't play a minute of England's Euro 2024 campaign. The Crystal Palace star already has as many senior international caps as he does appearances for the Under-21s (just the one), such is the speed at which he was fast-tracked into Southgate's set-up.

Were it not for United star Kobbie Mainoo impressing, Wharton might have had a bigger role to play for the Three Lions this summer. And his metronomic midfield magic could have been the key to unlocking Britain's medal hopes in the men's football.

CM: Aaron Ramsey (33)

The first of three over-23 selections has already featured at one Olympics to date in his career. Ramsey was still at Arsenal and only 21 years old when he featured as one of five Welsh players to make the Team GB squad for London 2012.

Things didn't pan out as hoped as they were knocked out by South Korea on penalties in the quarter-finals. Injuries permitting, the national icon - not back with boyhood club Cardiff City - could provide some key experience and a fatherly feel while also adding some key intelligence in midfield.

CAM: Harvey Elliott (21)

Harvey Elliott is a must for any Team GB line-up ( Getty Images)

A shoo-in for any Team GB side given his regular activity for Liverpool this past season, not to mention England's Under-21s, for whom he's scored eight times in 20 appearances. Elliott showed towards the end of last season how he's evolving into an increasingly reliable figure at Anfield, not to mention boasting valuable versatility across the midfield and attack.

RW: Jarrod Bowen (27)

The second name who might have had a busy summer on his hands, Bowen might have brought just the kind of energy in attack needed to make the difference at a Summer Games. The West Ham forward featured off the bench for England in their first two games at Euro 2024 but failed to come on again for his country this summer.

Bowen, 27, is at home on the right flank but has looked a threat up front for the Hammers in recent times. That interchangeability - combined with the forward's edge in experience over young defenders - could have proved pivotal to bamboozling the opposition in France. Instead, he got engaged to Dani Dyer after returning from the Euros.

LW: Jack Grealish (28)

Jack Grealish was unfortunate to miss the flight to Euro 2024 ( Getty Images)

Who better to lead the British offence in the land of love than a scorned Grealish eager to prove a point? The Manchester City maestro was surprisingly shunned by Southgate this summer, but the Olympics could have yielded the ideal stage to show his former boss what he'd been missing.

ST: Brennan Johnson (23)

Johnson would have been a candidate to revive the striker duties he once revelled in at Nottingham Forest for the British cause. The 2001-born star has played almost exclusively off the right win since joining Tottenham last year, but he remains a devilish threat when in front of goal himself.

The 28-cap Wales international beats Ipswich Town's Liam Delap, who has joined the top-flight new boys after impressing on loan at Hull City last season.

Subs: Sam Tickle, Tino Livramento, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Alex Scott, Billy Gilmour, Jaden Philogene, Liam Delap

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