The English Team to Begin Euro 2028 Quest at City’s Home Ground
The English squad will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, assuming they secure the relatively straightforward entry for a championship staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.
City’s stadium has not welcomed an English men’s match since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is almost certain to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on Saturday 10 June 2028.
England are scheduled to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would take place at St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Championship Launch and Protest
The tournament was unveiled at an event in Piccadilly Circus on the previous evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were heckled as they entered the location by about 50 protesters, who demanded the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the situation in Gaza.
Banners were raised with messages saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”
Tournament Schedule
The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will involve the Welsh team if they secure a place.
The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at 5pm.
It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be used for European club finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.
Qualifying Teams
The Republic of Ireland are scheduled to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.
The national sides of all four hosts will enter the qualification process; two guaranteed slots will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path.
Venues and Playoffs
The Birmingham venue and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight played at each country’s national stadium.
The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was dropped as a host city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.
Official Statement
“This will be a tournament for the followers and a festival of everything we value about the sport – its fervor and capacity to unite individuals.”
More than three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be offered to supporters.
