Euro 2028 looks set to be held across the UK and Ireland as no other bids emerge

As much of the nation still continues to come to terms with England’s dramatic loss to Italy at the Euro 2020 final last summer, plans are already getting underway for the next tournaments.

And it looks like the UK and Ireland are set to be the joint hosts of Euro 2028, as no rival bidder is expected to come forward before Wednesday’s deadline.

According to Sky Sports, the Football Associations of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland scrapped their World Cup 2030 bid to focus solely on the 2028 competition.

Originally, Euro 2020 winner Italy was touted as a potential host for the 2028 tournament, but it now looks increasingly likely they will bid instead for the following tournament, which will take place in 2032.

Russia was another potential host, but is now unable to bid after being ostracised from international sport following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Read More: This is why the England team took off their medals after Euro 2020 final defeat

The only other country that could snatch our chances of hosting away is Turkey, who could still put forward a bid before Wednesday’s deadline. However, it is believed that UEFA officials have not received any indication that a bid is likely.

If no other country enters a bid within the next forty-eight hours, the UK and Ireland are guaranteed to win.

Vincenzo.togni / Wikimedia Commons

Officials from the English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish and Northern Irish FAs reportedly believed they would stand a good chance of being given the opportunity to host for 2028.

Sky Sports claims this is because UEFA is considering increasing the number of participating teams to thirty-two for the first tournament.

An expanded tournament would mean greater demand on stadiums, training facilities and hotels – an area where the home nations and Ireland felt they could offer a particularly strong case over other countries.