Home nations set for Euro 2028 qualifying wrangle with UEFA 'uncomfortable'

04 October 2023 , 11:03

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Home nations set for Euro 2028 qualifying wrangle with UEFA 'uncomfortable'

The UK and Ireland look set to stage Euro 2028 after the only rival bidder to host the tournament, Turkey, withdrew from the running.

Turkey have decided to merge their bid for Euro 2032 with Italy and, with Russia's bid to host that event rendered ineligible by UEFA following their invasion of Ukraine, Turkey and Italy's is the only one remaining. Both decisions still need to be ratified by UEFA when their executive committee meets next week.

"Further to the announcement on 28 July which revealed the desire of the Italian and Turkish FAs to submit a joint bid to stage UEFA EURO 2032, the UEFA administration has today written to both associations to confirm that their joint bid has been duly received and will go forward for assessment and consideration by the UEFA Executive Committee," a statement from UEFA read.

"As indicated by the FA of Türkiye with its submission of the request for a joint bid, their bid to stage UEFA EURO 2028 is consequently withdrawn. The award of both tournaments still requires the approval of the Executive Committee at its meeting in Nyon on 10 October."

Should the bids be given official approval, UEFA's rules means there is a chance that not all of the host nations for Euro 2028 will compete at the tournament. The current rules state that only two countries can automatically qualify as the hosts of a tournament.

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And with the UK and Ireland's bid set to see games played across 10 stadiums in England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, that could be an issue.

According to Sky Sports, UEFA plan to stick to their rules and, with it 'impossible' for the five countries to agree who should automatically qualify, they will all attempt to secure their spot at the tournament through the traditional route.

England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to host Euro 2028 (PA)

The report adds that the two automatic spots could be held in reserve in case any of them fail to qualify, but things would then get messy if more than two nations missed out. Some within UEFA are said to be 'uncomfortable' at the prospect of teams who fell short in qualifying being handed a spot at the Euros and further talks will be held about the situation.

Euro 2020 took place across 11 different cities, including England and Scotland. Four matches were held at Hampden Park in Glasgow, while Wembley Stadium staged the two semi-finals and the final, as well as England's group games and their last-16 clash.

England previously staged Euro 96 as the sole hosts, while Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland have never hosted a major tournament before. Euro 2024, meanwhile, will take place in Germany next summer.

Matthew Cooper