UK and Ireland to Host Euro 2028
In an exciting turn of events, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have been awarded the opportunity to host the Euro 2028 football championship. This decision comes after Turkey withdrew its bid for Euro 2028 to focus on a joint bid with Italy for the 2032 edition. The UK-Ireland joint bid had been in the works for some time, with a total of ten stadiums included in their submission. Six of these venues are located in England, while one each can be found in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in June and July of 2028, exactly seven years after England and Scotland hosted games during the rearranged Euro 2020, which was held across various European cities. FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham expressed his delight, stating, "We're really looking forward to it. We worked really hard to put together a strong bid, and we think that's probably the reason we were unopposed in the end."
While there have been concerns about the readiness of certain venues, including the redevelopment of Casement Park in Belfast and Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, the organisers are optimistic that these facilities will be completed in time for the tournament. However, with matches taking place in various host cities, including Wembley, Hampden Park, Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Dublin's Aviva Stadium, and others, fans across the UK and Ireland can look forward to a memorable football celebration.
One pressing question has been the qualification process for the host nations. UEFA is inclined to have all five countries go through qualification due to the number of nations involved, with two automatic places reserved for those who don't qualify on the pitch. This approach aligns with the Football Association's desire to keep England competitive by participating in qualifiers rather than relying on friendlies.
The decision to award the Euro 2028 hosting rights to the UK and Ireland has raised concerns over previous hosting incidents, particularly at Wembley during Euro 2020. The UEFA executive committee has received assurances from The FA that steps have been taken to prevent a repeat of the disorderly scenes that were seen at the 2020 final.
As we await the Euro 2028 tournament, it's an exciting time for football enthusiasts in the UK, Ireland, and beyond. The event promises to showcase the best that these nations have to offer and create lasting memories for fans worldwide.
