EURO 2028 SET FOR UK & IRELAND

The UK and Republic of Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028 will now run unopposed after Turkey withdrew from the process.

The UK and Republic of Ireland submitted its bid to host the international football tournament in April this year, and Turkey quickly emerged as the main rival. Russia had also expressed an interest in hosting, but UEFA declared the bid ineligible over the war in Ukraine.

It has now been revealed that Turkey is no longer looking to secure hosting duties for 2028 as it focuses on a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032.

Turkey agreed to merge their Euro 2032 bid with Italy in July and that has now been approved by governing body UEFA.

While Italy had only bid for the 2032 tournament, Turkey had bid to host both Euro 2028 and 2032.

Now, with Turkey out of the picture, the UK and Republic of Ireland now look set to have a clear run at Euro 2028 but will still require UEFA approval.

In April, 10 grounds were selected for the UK and Republic of Ireland’s bid, including Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and Wembley in London.

Belfast’s Casement Park and Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock, two unbuilt stadiums, are also included.

The bid is running with the pledge of providing ‘Football for all, Football for good. Football for the future’.

The bid states, ‘The UK and Ireland share a proud reputation as world-leading event destinations which have successfully staged some of the biggest global sporting tournaments – backed by strong government support.

‘This includes the recent record-breaking UEFA Women’s EURO 2022.

‘We are delighted that our government partners are fully committed to hosting UEFA EURO 2028.

‘They have signed the relevant tournament guarantees and will ensure the event is fully supported.

‘This will create a welcoming, exciting and safe football experience that players and fans will enjoy in every city and every game.’

If successful, Wembley could host the tournament’s final for the second time in seven years, after holding the 2020 edition where England were defeated by Italy in 2021.