London 2012: Gareth Bale set to lead Welsh contingent in Team GB

Gareth Bale has been named in the 35-man Team GB football squad for the Olympics, BBC Wales Sport understands.

The Tottenham Hotspur winger will be joined by Wales team-mates Craig Bellamy of Liverpool and Swansea City pair Joe Allen and Neil Taylor.

Ryan Giggs and Aaron Ramsey have also been tipped to be selected, while David Beckham will feature as one of the three overage players allowed.

Team GB were obliged to submit their provisional squad to Fifa by Friday.

But the Football Association, which is responsible for the team, says it may decide not to announce the list of names.

Team GB men group opponents

Senegal

How they qualified: Beat Oman 2-0 in a play-off for the 16th and final place

One to watch: Ibrahima Balde (Osasuna)

United Arab Emirates

How they qualified: Finished top of Asian Olympic qualifying Group B.

One to watch: Hamdan Al Kamali (Lyon - on loan from Al Wahda)

Uruguay

How they qualified: Finished as runners-up to Brazil at the 2011 South American Youth Championship.

One to watch: Gaston Ramirez (Bologna)

The final squad will be trimmed to 18, with four named reserves, and is expected to be announced on 6 July.

Bellamy has already been widely quoted as saying he has been selected, while Beckham's name has constantly been mentioned for one of three places allocated to players over 23 years of age.

Giggs is also expected to fall into that category, and the former Wales captain has been given the blessing of Manchester United to play in the 16-team tournament.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW), along with the Scottish and Northern Irish associations, oppose the creation of Team GB fearing it could threaten their independence.

Although the FAW opposes Welsh internationals featuring at the Olympics it has said it will not stop Welsh players from taking part.

Captain Ramsey, Bale and Allen have already expressed their wish to take part and all three are expected to accept their invitations.

Team GB's first fixture is against Senegal at Old Trafford on 26 July, with further group games to follow at Wembley Stadium and the Millennium Stadium.