Geneva, October 12 (BNA): The European Football Association (UEFA) invited bidders on Tuesday to host the 24-team European Championship in 2028, but did not rule out changing the dates and format of the tournament.
Officials said in July during the successful Euro 2020 that the European Union was considering whether to expand the tournament again to include 32 of its 55 member states.
UEFA has set a March deadline of Tuesday for members to register their interest in hosting a 24-team, 51-game format in 2028 although warning plans could change.
UEFA said “information regarding the dates, the number of participating teams and the number of matches is provisional” until the rules of the tournament are confirmed.
UEFA is searching for its hosts amid uncertainty in the international football schedule as FIFA pushes proposals to host the World Cup every two years despite widespread European opposition.
Even if FIFA succeeds in securing support for the biennial tournament, it is unlikely to host the 2028 World Cup due to a back-to-back confrontation with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics scheduled for July 21-August. 6.
UEFA set a target in September 2023 for the hosting decision – less than five years before the kick-off scheduled for June 2028, according to the Associated Press.
Russia and Turkey are potential candidates to host the tournament on their own without having to build any of the 10 stadiums required by UEFA. A stadium with a capacity of at least 60,000 people is required for the final.
Spain could be a candidate if it does not participate in bidding for the 2030 World Cup. This project is likely to be a joint hosting plan with Portugal.
Organizing Euro 2020 in 11 different countries – after Belgium and Ireland withdrew from the original project – was a one-time experience, UEFA has always insisted.
UEFA said two co-hosts would get automatic entries into the final tournament, but three countries’ nominations “cannot be guaranteed” for a place for all.
The UEFA National Team Championship hosted 16 teams from 1996 until 2012, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. Expanded to include 24 teams for Euro 2016 in France. Germany will host Euro 2024.
insult