GB Olympic football teams to play in Manchester, London and Cardiff

Hope Powell and Stuart Pearce Powell and Pearce will lead the British teams at the Games next year

Great Britain's Olympic football teams will play their group matches at Old Trafford, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in 2012.

The men's team, led by Stuart Pearce, will play their three group fixtures in Manchester, London and Cardiff.

Hope Powell's women will play their first two group matches in Cardiff and the third in London.

Tickets for the men's Olympic football tournament go on sale on 29 November, while the draw takes place on 24 April.
TEAM GB GROUP FIXTURES
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* MEN
* Old Trafford, 26 July
* Wembley, 29 July
* Millennium Stadium, 1 August
* WOMEN
* Millennium Stadium, 25 July
* Millennium Stadium, 28 July
* Wembley, 31 July

The events were previously on-sale as part of the original Olympic ballot - but people will now be able to apply for specific matches.

The men's team will begin their London 2012 campaign at Old Trafford on Thursday, 26 July, followed by Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 29 July and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, 1 August.

The women's team will begin the tournament on Wednesday, 25 July - the first day of Olympic action - at the Millennium Stadium, followed by Saturday, 28 July at the same venue.

Their final group stage match will take place on Tuesday, 31 July at Wembley.

However, a spokesman for the Football Association of Wales has told BBC Sport they are seeking clarification whether they, as the host association, have to sanction the 2012 Olympic fixtures planned for the Millennium Stadium.

The FAW is against Welsh players representing Team GB at the Olympics as it fears a British team threatens its independence as a separate football nation.

"The prospect of Team GB taking part in the Games has captured the imagination of the public and we are pleased to be able to confirm their group stage fixtures ahead of tickets going back on sale," said Debbie Jevans, director of sport for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog).

"With teams like Spain and Brazil already qualified and fantastic venues across the country, the Olympic football tournaments promise to be a great family day out at the Olympic Games next summer."

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