Leeds star Dan James dreaming of winning Olympic gold with Team GB at Los Angeles 2028
DAN JAMES admits he would like to follow Wales boss Craig Bellamy and play in a possible Team GB Olympic side.
British Olympic Association chiefs want a men’s football team at the 2028 Olympics staged in Los Angeles.
Bellamy was one of five Welshman who played in London 2012 – the only time since 1960 a GB men’s side has taken part.
Leeds winger James said: “If the opportunity arised then I’d definitely be interested.
“Not many people can say they have been to an Olympics so if it did arise I’d be more than interested.”
New Wales boss Bellamy became the first British to score in Team GB colours in 52 years when he netted against Senegal at Old Trafford 12 years ago.
Bellamy was a big supporter of the Olympic movement and described the opportunity as a “great honour”.
He was joined by fellow countryman Ryan Giggs, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Neil Taylor in Stuart Pearce’s squad.
The FA are believed to be keen to embrace the opportunity.
But other Home Nations are concerned a joint GB side with players from the four countries would threaten their independent status with Fifa.
Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney claimed the possibility of GB entering a men’s side has “never been discussed” among Dragons bosses.
That is despite the BOA promoting the idea after the Paris Games this summer where Spain beat France 5-3 after extra-time to win the gold medal.
Whether James, 26, plays in LA remains to be seen but Wales aim to qualify for the 2026 World Cup hosted in the US as well as Canada and Mexico.
Bellamy names his squad today for Wales’ Nations League games away to Iceland and Montenegro in Cardiff this month with James set to miss out due to a hamstring injury.
But James is excited about linking up with the new Dragons chief soon as they map out their journey to emulating Wales’ 2022 World Cup qualification in Qatar.
James, who was speaking at a McDonald’s Fun Football Day at Bollington United in Cheshire, added: “The 2026 World Cup is our big aim.
“These Nations League fixtures are very important to put us in a good position going into the qualifiers for the World Cup and we want to get to Group A in the Nations League.
“We have had the experience of the World Cup and it wasn’t quite what we wanted.
“We were delighted to get there but we were disappointed in the way it finished.
“All the players are desperate to get there again. The fans will want to experience it too.
“It’s going to be a great one in the US so it’s one we don’t want to miss out on. America is great.
“They are producing top footballers and the sport is becoming bigger and bigger over there.
“You see how they put on big spectacles in other sports and that World Cup will be watched all across the globe. It will be brilliant. We don’t want to miss out on that.”
James is looking forward to working with ex-Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle wideman Bellamy.
The new Wales chief kicked off his tenure with a positive goalless home draw with Turkey and a 2-1 win in Montenegro last month.
James said: “It’s a great appointment. I’m gutted to miss out.
“The manager is an ex-player who played in my position and had a great career like Ryan Giggs.
“Ryan brought me through and I’ll always thank him for that.
“But having two ex-players who were great in the Premier League will be nice for me because I can get their experiences as footballers.”
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McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Daniel James took part in the largest ever Fun Football session to celebrate the milestone of 500,000 children benefitting from the programme across the UK. Sign up to a free session near you at www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football