The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have been confirmed as the hosts for the 2028 European Championship by UEFA. The joint bid was uncontested after Turkey withdrew to focus on a bid for Euro 2032. England, Scotland, and Wales had previously hosted games during Euro 2020, which was held across multiple European countries.
This decision marks a significant moment for the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, as they have never hosted a major football tournament before. The proposed venues for Euro 2028 include iconic stadiums like London’s Wembley Stadium, Glasgow’s Hampden Park, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
The Football Association of Wales has expressed its desire for Cardiff to host the opening match, while former Wales captain Gareth Bale, who attended the presentation in Nyon, also voiced his support for this idea.
Meanwhile, Turkey had initially bid for both Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 but withdrew from the 2028 hosting rights after their joint bid with Italy for the 2032 tournament was approved by UEFA. This makes Italy the sole host for Euro 2032.
It’s worth noting that Euro 2024 will be hosted by Germany, and the most recent championship was played in 2021, instead of 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to award hosting rights for Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 sets the stage for exciting international football competitions in the coming years.