Arsenal and England's Alex Scott saddened to miss out on Rio Olympics

The FA had told counterparts from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland it was intending to enter teams for the 2016 Games, provoking a storm of criticism.

FIFA stressed all four home nations would have to agree before the plan could be ratified, meaning there was no prospect of the FA going it alone.

Scott, the 30-year-old right-back, appeared for Great Britain at the London Olympics.

But while she is set to play for England at this summer's World Cup, her prospects of starring at another Olympic Games now look slim.

She said on BBC Radio Five Live: "It's like it's an opportunity missed again. I can understand from the male point of view - all the politics that goes into men's football.

"But for women's football, the Olympics is seen as a major sporting event. It's up there like your World Cup and European Championship. For us it's an opportunity to go and play on that world stage and further progress women's football in this country. It's another tournament you can get under your belt and a chance to get a gold medal, so you want that opportunity.

"For women's football in general I think we need to be part of a major tournament like this."