In a significant turn of events, the United Kingdom and Ireland are poised to host Euro 2028, pending final approval from UEFA’s executive committee next week. This follows Turkey’s withdrawal from the bid, shifting its focus to a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032.
The five-nation bid, the only option left for the 2028 finals, is expected to be formally announced as the host after the UEFA executive committee meeting in Switzerland next week. UEFA issued a statement confirming the withdrawal of Turkey’s bid for Euro 2028 and the submission of a joint bid with Italy for 2032.
The statement read, “The award of both tournaments still requires the approval of the executive committee at its meeting in Nyon on October 10. The presentations at that meeting will be an important part of the process which will take due consideration of the content of the bid submissions before reaching a decision.”
Senior UEFA sources emphasize the significance of hosting another tournament in an established football market, contributing to the organization’s recovery from the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, following Euro 2024 in Germany.
The Football Association of Ireland expressed enthusiasm for the bid, stating, “We are looking forward to presenting our bid to UEFA on October 10. These are exciting times, and we have a very compelling Euro 2028 proposal for UEFA.”
The UK and Ireland bid dossier, submitted in April, features 10 stadiums, including iconic venues like Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, and others across the four nations. The bid aims to deliver lasting legacies and is confident that UEFA will approve their candidacy to host Euro 2028. The decision marks a potential boost for football fans and the sports industry in the UK and Ireland.
