The football associations in the UK and Ireland have stated that they are ‘confident’ they will be chosen as joint hosts of Euro 2028 later this week, as reported by Sky Sports News.
With no current rival bids to host the event, the deadline for nations to express their interest is tomorrow, which follows UEFA announcing the bidders on 5 April. However, if the two countries are the only interested parties, they will be confirmed as hosts two days later during a vote at an Exco meeting.
A statement from the organisation read: “Following an extensive feasibility study, which assessed the potential opportunities in international football, the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have agreed to focus on a bid to host UEFA Euro 2028, the third largest sports event in the world.
“The feasibility study included an analysis of the economic impact, the political football landscape and likely costs of hosting major international tournaments. On balance, the five associations have decided to focus solely on an official bid to host UEFA EURO 2028, and have agreed not to bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“Hosting a UEFA EURO offers a similar return on investment, with the European tournament carrying a far lower delivery cost and the potential of the benefits being realised sooner.”
Additionally, UEFA stated that it will now continue to collaborate with its Government partners of the UK and Ireland in regards to the next steps, and claimed that the UK and the Republic of Ireland can offer UEFA and European football “something special” in 2028.
This has been named as a ‘compact and unique five-way hosting collaboration that will provide a great experience for the teams and the fans’.
Moreover, it looked likely that Italy would hold strong competition as hosts, yet it now looks more likely they will bid instead for the 2032 edition of the competition.
Sky Sports also suggested that Turkey could still put forward their bid prior to the upcoming deadline, although it has been reported that UEFA officials have not received any indication that a bid may come from the country.
