Questions remain with Ireland set to be confirmed as Euro 2028 joint host

With the UK and Ireland now the sole bidder to host the 2028 European Championships, formal ratification will come on Tuesday morning at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Initially a five association feasibility study was commissioned to the 2030 World Cup, with the FAI joining the four UK associations in the winter of 2018. A joint Spain/Portugal bid quickly emerged as a strong favourite to host the World Cup, and so the focus switched to Euro 2028.

The FAI will present what they call a 'compelling' proposal to UEFA's Executive Committee. In their submission bid the socio-economic benefit to Ireland of staging the tournament was estimated at €241 million.

Last week, speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne told Bryan Dobson that "there is State funding involved (in the bidding process), when the State funds major events a very detailed cost benefit analysis is done to make sure we are getting value for money."

Security costs around the staging of the tournament will be the main financial outlay.

The Aviva Stadium had been due to host four games at Euro 2020, the tournament was delayed by a year due to Covid. UEFA moved the three group games scheduled for Dublin to St Petersburg, and one last 16 game to Wembley. The FAI and the Government were unable to provide guarantees regarding the requirement for 25% capacity spectator attendance.

It's understood Dublin will stage at least six Euro 2028 games, four in the group stage, one in the last 16, and one quarter-final. The yet to be redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast is in line to host at least five fixtures.

Five hosts will not mean five automatic qualifiers for the 24 Nation tournament. UEFA have yet to formalise the qualification format.