The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have emerged as uncontested bidders for the 2028 European Championships, as Turkey has opted to shift its focus towards a joint bid with Italy for Euro 2032.
Turkey and Italy reached an agreement in July to merge their Euro 2032 bid, a decision that has since been sanctioned by the governing body UEFA.
Both bids will still need approval by UEFA at a meeting of its executive committee on Tuesday.
UEFA added in a statement that “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”.
The football association of Ireland (FAI) said: “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.
“Our bid is ground-breaking for the Men’s European Championships and will deliver lasting legacies across the whole of Ireland and the UK.
“We will share full details of the bid in Nyon next week and are confident that UEFA will approve our candidacy to host Euro 2028.”
In April 10 stadiums were chosen for the joint bid by the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The venues are Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, London’s Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, the Everton Stadium, which is under construction in Liverpool, Newcastle’s St. James’ Park, Villa Park in Birmingham and Belfast’s Casement Park.
The joint British and Irish bid has received support from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, and Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford.
Earlier this year, they said in a joint statement: “Together, our nations will host an outstanding UEFA Euro 2028.
“It will be the biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged – a passionate and unforgettable celebration, with long-term benefits for our cities and communities as well as all European football.
“Our unique and unprecedented UEFA Euro 2028 will welcome the world to iconic destinations and, above all, bring people together.”
Italy and Turkey are the only proposed bidders for Euro 2032.
The two countries do not share a land border but both have coastline on the Mediterranean Sea.
The current European champions, Italy, previously hosted the Euros in 1968 and 1980. Rome’s Stadio Olimpico also served as a venue during Euro 2020.
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Explained: UK and Ireland’s Euro 2028 bid – why focus moved from World Cup, automatic host spots and can they win?
(Photo: Shaun Botterill – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
