Govt to back UK and Ireland bid to host Euro 2028

The Government is expected to formally back the Football Association of Ireland's ambition to jointly host Euro 2028 with Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State Jack Chambers will ask the Government to issue a letter of support to the FAI.

Minister Martin will tell the Cabinet that the Government's backing of the FAI bid would send a strong signal to UEFA.

Tomorrow is the deadline for national football associations to confirm their interest in bidding to host the event, the world's second biggest international football tournament.

It is not clear how many matches would be played in Ireland and the number of Irish stadiums that would be used.

Ministers will hear that close to 150,000 football fans could travel to Ireland for the tournament.

The Government will likely provide funding for venues, transport, security and fan zones.

It looks likely that the joint Ireland and UK bid may be the sole expression of interest to host Euro 2028, as UEFA has ended the Russian bid, while Turkey ended its bid to host the tournament.