UEFA set to name UK and Ireland as Euro 2028 hosts as no rival bid submitted

The UK and Ireland are set to be joint hosts of Euro 2028 with no rival bidder expected to come forward ahead of Wednesday's deadline.

UEFA are not anticipating any latecomers and, as a result, will announce the five nations as the venues for the tournament in six years time. It will also set a deadline of the end of the year by which all the necessary government guarantees will have to be submitted - failure to do so will see them re-open the bidding for the tournament.

Turkey had been looking to lodge a bit for either Euro 2028 or 2032 - the latter of which Italy will bid for. Despite Turkey's desires they are not expected to mount a late bid to challenge the UK and Ireland, according to the Times. Russia were also considering a bid for 2028 but the invasion of Ukraine has seen them abandon that.

UEFA recently expanded the tournament back in 2016 and are likely to do so again, increasing it to 32 nations by the time 2028 comes around. However, based on their rules for co-hosting, it is unlikely England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland would qualify automatically.

The decision to host the tournament in the UK and Ireland will no doubt see criticism from some quarters. Euro 2020, which was delayed a year due to the pandemic, was held across the continent rather than by one country. It saw Wembley play a key role, hosting plenty of matches including the two semi-finals and the final. England played the majority of their matches in London, which was seen as favourable.

Spreading the tournament across five countries would see venues like the Principality Stadium, Hampden Park, the Aviva Stadium and Windsor Park all come into play. Scotland's Hampden Park was the venue for several games in Euro