Olympic football squads are for under 23 year olds, but each team can have three players above that age.

Beckham could therefore play for the team, but may face competition with the likes of Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard also over the age limit.

And Beckham's former Manchester United team mate Ryan Giggs may also be in contention to play for the team.

It would be quite a remarkable situation were Beckham and Giggs to line up alongside each other in a competitive game once more, but the chances of that happening are limited by the ongoing reluctance of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to contribute players to the squad.

They believe that by doing so, their status as independent nations in the football arena could be compromised, but FIFA have assured them that this would not be the case if their players line up for Team GB.

Beckham's current contract with LA Galaxy is coming to an end this year, but he has indicated that he would be keen to continue playing in the Major League Soccer next season, and playing at a competitive level would be crucial if the 35 year old, who would be 37 by the start of the 2012 Olympics, hopes to be a part of the squad.

"It's something that I'd like to be involved in, and I'd like to be involved in as a player," said Beckham.

"But we'll have to wait and see, that's a year away yet.

"I'll enjoy the rest of this season first: we're only five games in."

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