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The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, provided that they attain the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an English men’s game since the spring of 2016, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the England side for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, if they top Group B, their round of 16 match would take place at St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean beginning the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Championship Launch and Demonstration

The championship was unveiled at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were heckled as they entered the site by around fifty activists, who urged Israel to be kicked out from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Signs were held up with slogans saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The inaugural fixture of Euro 2028 will be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a fixture that will feature Wales if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be played on a Sunday in July 2028 with a kick-off time at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will appeal to families and help connect with a broader range of viewers.

Host Nations

The Republic of Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would follow suit at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for the tournament through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

Villa Park and The North London arena finalize the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight held at every host’s main arena.

The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a tournament for the followers and a festival of everything we love about the sport – its passion and ability to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million tickets, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are projected to be released to attendees.