Football as an Olympic Games sport began life as a demonstration event at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896. It graduated to become a recognised medal sport in London in 1908. Today football, or soccer as it is commonly known, is the most popular team game in the world.

Great Britain won the first Olympic Football gold medal at the London 1908 Olympic Games.

The 2012 Olympic Games events will be held between July 28 - August 11 at football stadiums throughout the country with the final at Wembley Stadium. The stadiums are:

• Wembley Stadium, London
• Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland
• The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
• Villa Park, Birmingham
• Old Trafford, Manchester
• St James' Park, Newcastle
  

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

Women’s football has no age limits and made its debut at the Games for the first time in Atlanta 1996.

PARAPLEGIC GAMES

There are two forms of football played at the Paralympic Games both using rules adopted to cater for disabilities, five-a-side football and seven-a-side football. The International Paralympic Committee consider them separate sports.

FIVE A SIDE FOOTBALL

A special ball which makes a noise is used as the game is played by visually impaired players. Each team has four blind athletes and one sighted or visually impaired goalkeeper on the field as well as five substitutes and there is a guide behind the opponent's goal to direct the players when they shoot.

The competition runs from Thursday 30 August – Friday 7 September

SEVEN A SIDE FOOTBALL