It is the end of the road for England at the World Cup.
An agonising 2-1 defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night in the sem-final saw their hopes of winning for the first time since 1966 ended.
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Thomas Tuchel’s side still have the Bronze Final against France on Saturday – in a clash absolutely no one wants to play.
With the World Cup officially drawing to a close, it should be an automatic reminder that the next international competition is in two years’ time.
Euro 2028 will feature a multi-nation host format and the tournament will be held from June 9 to July 9.
While the previous Euros took place solely in Germany, the 2028 edition will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
The action will be held across 31 days with three primary kick-off times at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm, and will have feature a total of 51 matches.
UEFA have designed the schedule around ‘fan fairness’, aiming to limit travel between matches for supporters and squads.
Matches will be staged across nine venues in eight host cities, including Wembley Stadium, Everton’s new waterfront home, and a newly regenerated Villa Park.
England is the only host nation to have previously staged a full European Championship on their own in 1996, with the tournament becoming a cultural milestone for the country.
That campaign ended in heartbreak for the Three Lions as they went out in a semi-final penalty shootout against Germany.
Additionally, England have also hosted the Women’s Euros in 2022, where the Lionesses eventually lifted the trophy at Wembley in front of 87,000 fans.
Scotland previously hosted four matches at Hampden Park during Euro 2020, when 11 nations shared hosting duties across the continent.
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Euro 2028 stadiums
- Wembley Stadium, London – Capacity: 90,000
- Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London – Capacity: 62,850
- Etihad Stadium, Manchester – Capacity: 61,470
- Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool – Capacity: 52, 769
- St James’ Park, Newcastle – Capacity: 52,264
- Villa Park, Birmingham – Capacity: 50,000
- Hampden Park, Glasgow – Capacity: 51,866
- Principality Stadium, Cardiff – Capacity: 73,931
- Aviva Stadium, Dublin – Capacity: 51,711
For Wales and Ireland, this will mark their first time hosting a major international tournament.
Northern Ireland will not be a host after Belfast’s Casement Park was removed as an option.
Do host nations need to qualify?
Due to tournament regulations, only two host nations are able to receive automatic qualification.
UEFA has decided that all four co-hosts will enter the traditional qualifying route, with two automatic spots reserved as a ‘safety net’ for nations that fail to qualify the ‘normal way’.
If more than two nations don’t qualify, the spots will be decided based on their overall qualifying ranking.
In total, 54 nations will be divided into 12 qualifying groups, with the group winners and eight best runners-up will all qualify directly.
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The remaining spots, depending on the host performances, will be decided via play-offs in March 2028.
The draw which selects the qualifying groups will be held in December 2026.
Who will be England manager?
Thomas Tuchel is taking plenty of heat for his tactical decisions in the 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
This has led to calls for him to either quit or be fired from the role.
eSPORTY understands, however, that the FA have no plans to relieve Tuchel of his duties.
Shortly before the World Cup, Tuchel signed a contract extension until the end of Euro 2028.
Euro 2028 schedule
There will be 51 matches involving 24 teams, with England playing their opening match at Manchester City Stadium, followed by two games at Wembley Stadium.
The Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales would play their group fixtures in Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff respectively.
The opening games will be held at the Principality Stadium, while semi-finals and the final will be at Wembley in London.
Host cities will stage a minimum of two different groups to provide local fans with a variety of teams to watch in their region.
Michael Owen said: “UEFA Euro 2028 will be an incredible moment for players and fans.
“It will be a chance to celebrate our shared love of the game on home soil in brilliant stadiums across passionate football cities.
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