Where is UEFA Euro 2028? UK and Ireland confirmed as hosts by UEFA

Although UEFA Euro 2028 is just under five years away, we already know who will host the event.

On 10 October 2023, UEFA confirmed the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland as joint hosts for the final, likely to start in June 2028.

After two years of feasibility studies and bid surveys, only two bids reached the final closing date of April 12, 2023.

The UK and Ireland application included a list of 10 stadiums with Wembley, Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and St. James’ Park.

Turkey was the only competing bid for the UK/Ireland project after Italy decided to focus on the Euro 2032 bid and Spain and Portugal shifted their focus to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

However, before UEFA’s executive committee made a final decision on October 10, Turkey announced its withdrawal in order to form a joint ticket with Italy for Euro 2032.

This meant that the remaining offer from the UK and Ireland was not opposed and only needed final ratification.

Where is Euro 2028 being held?

The Euro 2028 finals will be co-hosted by the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Turkey’s withdrawal from the bidding process effectively made the decision a formality. They are now part of a Euros bid alongside Italy for 2032, which has also been ratified.

The successful proposal features six venues in England and one each in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Wembley Stadium in London held the semifinals and final of Euro 2020, which was spread throughout the continent, but this will be the first full senior men’s tournament staged on UK or Irish shores for more than 30 years.

How many teams will play at UEFA Euro 2028?

UEFA has confirmed its intention to continue with a 24-team tournament at Euro 2028 after initially updating the tournament size from 16 nations ahead of Euro 2016.

Because the tournament will be held across five different competing UEFA nations, the tradition of the hosts automatically qualifying for the final tournament has been somewhat complicated.

When is UEFA Euro 2028?

UEFA is yet to confirm the details of when Euro 2028 will be held, but the expectation is that it will take place from June 2028 to July 2028.

Will anyone qualify automatically for UEFA Euro 2028?

There are no firm plans yet on how the automatic qualification places will be handed out – or whether any will be awarded to the host nations at all.

According to reports, including those in The Athletic, UEFA’s idea is to award only two automatic places in the finals, even though there are five host nations. The plan is for all five teams to compete as usual in the qualifying groups, with the two automatic spots held in reserve as a fallback should one of the host nations fail to qualify through the usual means. If more than two of them fail to qualify, then automatic places will be awarded to the two teams with the best qualifying records.

In other words, it is possible that all five host nations – England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – will qualify for the finals of Euro 2028. It is also possible that only two will be there.