The United Kingdom and Ireland has been selected to host the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament! This decision represents a huge step forward for the sport of football in the area. This prestigious event will feature 24 teams competing in a total of 51 matches, showcasing the talents of athletes from across Europe. The tournament will be held in late June and early July of 2028.
Wembley Stadium in London is perhaps the most iconic of all FIFA Women’s World Cup host venues. It’ll be one of the tournament’s primary host cities and will host the semi-finals and tournament finale. Wales’ magnificent Principality Stadium in Cardiff will stage the opening match, launching the tournament with a dazzling spectacle. It’s all going to lead up to an action-packed month of exciting football!
A Diverse Range of Venues
Wembley and the Principality Stadium will be two of a talented Euro 2028 host cities in the UK and Ireland. These cities have already been announced as chosen sites for the event. These include:
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
- Etihad Stadium, Manchester
- St James’ Park, Newcastle
- Villa Park, Birmingham
- Hampden Park, Glasgow
- Aviva Stadium, Dublin
All three of these stadiums will provide state-of-the-art amenities for players and fans alike. Together, they are poised to deliver an incredible tournament experience.
Northern Ireland will not be taking part as one of the host countries. This decision comes as a result of continued delays in redeveloping Casement Park, with the projected cost of reconstruction now soaring past £400 million. The lack of Northern Ireland serves to emphasize how difficult these places were to get ready for such a huge event.
Qualification Structure and Automatic Spots
We’re counting down to Euro 2028 with excitement! England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will not qualify for the tournament automatically. Two further automatic qualification spots are set aside for the highest-ranked host nations. These countries will automatically receive their spots, regardless of whether they achieve a slot through the traditional qualifying games. This complex structure is designed to uphold competitive integrity while still providing for the opportunity of host nations to compete.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said they were “extremely proud to be bringing this incredible event home”.
“We’re delighted. It’s been three years of hard work to get to this point. It’s fantastic for us and the country, the home nations and Ireland. We’re really looking forward to it.” – Mark Bullingham
As those preparations take shape, focus will shift to the schedule, still likely more than two years away from release, and likely unveiled in fall 2025. The tournament rules should be released by late 2025. This gives all countries who compete the opportunity to operate with full knowledge before going into the tournament.
Financial Expectations and Tournament Impact
UEFA is counting on Euro 2028 to provide a big cash boost. They are forecasting it will be more than earnings from all other major tournaments combined, including Euro 2032. This financial expectation underscores the importance of successful event hosting and its potential economic impact on the participating nations.
one interviewee stated,
“The FA say they have learned lessons and nothing like that is going to happen again. UEFA have confidence in the FA.”
Drawing on previous experiences, this manifesto for better organization and management while at the tournament is an implicit promise that HQ will do better.
To Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, qualifying matches are the bedrock of player development.
“From our point of view, it’s great to be taking part in qualifying and we want to get everyone there. It is better to play in a tournament where it matters and we have competitive games. We’re looking forward to that.” – Mark Bullingham
The anticipation feels palpable for Euro 2028! Fans around the world are counting down to the moment when the host nations will present their remarkable sporting talents and provide an electrifying tournament atmosphere.
Leave a Reply