After one bronze since the 2012 London Olympics gold medal, the USWNT returned in style thanks to coach Emma Hayes on top. Yet, there was a different narrative with the USWNT job, as Hayes is English. Facing one’s own country can be an emotional experience for many. But Team GB’s non-participation in the Olympics brought her a sense of relief.

Daunted at the prospect of facing Great Britain in the course of the tournament, Hayes felt relaxed about not facing her allies. Therefore, following the Olympic campaign, Hayes expressed her emotions after not facing her country in the Olympics.

Emma Hayes was relieved not to face Great Britain!

In an interview with Sky News after her glorious campaign, Hayes noted, “Listen, I didn’t have to face team GB. So, there was no conflict of interest, but I’m just speechless. Genuinely speechless.” It’s not easy when that happens. One must stay professional in approaching the game without any conflict of interest. Well, Hayes did her job remarkably well with the USWNT. But why didn’t Team Great Britain play in the Olympics?

Unlike the men’s team, the women’s soccer team could qualify for the Olympics. Yet, in the 2016 Olympics, similar to the men’s team, the nations have soccer representatives from the UK (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) and compete separately. During the Olympics, all these nations usually come forward, uniting to form one team, Great Britain.

But, once Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland guaranteed everyone, their participation as a single entity in the Olympics would not compromise their independence in FIFA/UEFA tournaments. After making a brief appearance at the 2012 London Olympics, it ended Team GB’s participation in the Olympics.

During the 2012 Olympics, the FA representatives collectively agreed to a squad with 13 English and 5 Welsh players. After that, the women’s and men’s soccer teams did not compete in the Olympics. But, in 2020, the women’s team resurfaced to compete in Tokyo. The nations agreed to compete by picking players from each representative. According to the agreement among the home nations, the top-ranked women’s team out of the four will try to secure one of the three available European spots, which will then be awarded to Team GB.

That honor went to England. Yet, England failed to qualify after a disappointing Nations League campaign where they finished second in the group. Consequently, Emma Hayes did not face her home team and avoided a tricky encounter with emotions, running high. Would that have hindered a roadblock?