(Reuters) – The United Kingdom and Ireland will host the 2028 European Championship, while Italy and Turkey will stage the 2032 edition of the tournament, UEFA said on Tuesday.
Here is reaction to the announcement:
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE MARK BULLINGHAM
“We’re delighted. It’s been three years of hard work to get to this point. It’s fantastic for us and the country, the home nations and Ireland. We’re really looking forward to it.
“We worked really hard to put together a really strong bid and we think that’s probably the reason we were unopposed in the end.”
IRISH PRIME MINISTER LEO VARADKAR
“I am over the moon that Ireland and the UK will co-host Euro 2028. Congratulations to @FAIreland and all involved in winning the bid. It will be the biggest event ever hosted by our two islands working together.
“We’re willing to invest in the Aviva Stadium and Casement Park to ensure our stadia, north and south, are ready to welcome the world. I also want to ensure there are benefits for football clubs all over the country and I look forward to engaging with the FAI on how we can achieve that.”
SCOTLAND’S FIRST MINISTER HUMZA YOUSAF
“Football is Scotland’s national game and a powerful force for good in communities right across the country. It is this combination which underpinned the Scottish government’s support for the successful joint bid.
“Hosting the Euros in Scotland will provide a range of opportunities, not only through the economic benefits of visiting fans, but through a strong legacy programme that will help grow a more inclusive and diverse game right across the country.”
SCOTTISH FA CEO IAN MAXWELL
“It is a tremendous privilege, and honour, to again be awarded Euro host status, and I look forward to the building upon the existing strength of our unique partnership as we begin the journey towards 2028.”
FORMER WALES INTERNATIONAL GARETH BALE
“It’s important especially for Wales to keep on the map, to keep pushing forward, to keep trying to better ourselves. I think having a major tournament in our country is massively important. I’m glad I can be a part of it again.”
IRISH FA CHIEF EXECUTIVE PATRICK NELSON
“We’ve been part of this bid since day one and we want to be a full part of it all the way through to 2028. That means we need to have a stadium in Belfast that has the right capacity to cope.
“We do not want to be sitting on the sidelines in 2028. This is going to be a fantastic festival of football and Belfast deserves to be part of it. It’s our time.”
GABRIELE GRAVINA, ITALIAN FOOTBALL FEDERATION PRESIDENT
“For Italy, it’s a historical day. After many years, from 1990 Italy did not have the opportunity to organise such an important football event.
“It’s an opportunity that could be useful to awaken the interest, consciousness but especially the interest of football teams and football clubs to offer to their fans and supporters one of the most beautiful stadiums and infrastructure.”
(Compiled by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru)
