UK And Irish Bodies To Pursue Euro 2028 Bid

A joint bid from the UK and Ireland is likely to be submitted to host UEFA Euro 2028 after the nations’ respective football associations announced plans to drop a bid to stage the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Following an extensive feasibility study which assessed the potential opportunities of both tournaments, the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to focus on a bid to host Euro 2028 instead of the World Cup.

The feasibility study included an analysis of the economic impact, the political football landscape and the likely costs of hosting major international tournaments. A joint statement from the football associations said that hosting Euro 2028 would offer a similar return on investment to the World Cup but would carry a “far lower” delivery cost.

The statement continued, “It would be an honour and a privilege to collectively host UEFA Euro 2028 and to welcome all of Europe. It would also be a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the true impact of hosting a world-class football tournament by driving positive change and leaving a lasting legacy across our communities.

“We believe the UK and the Republic of Ireland can offer UEFA and European football something special in 2028 – a compact and unique five-way hosting collaboration that will provide a great experience for the teams and the fans.”

London’s Wembley Stadium and Glasgow’s Hampden Park were among the host venues for last year’s European Championship, while Dublin’s Aviva Stadium had also been set to stage games before it missed out due to a lack of assurances regarding fan attendance.

The decision to focus on a bid for Euro 2028 comes after the UK and Irish governments last year backed a potential joint bid for the 2030 World Cup.

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