Welsh FA eager to host Euro 2028 opener

Wales hopes to stage the first match of Euro 2028 should the Ireland and UK bid to host the tournament be successful.

Cardiff's 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium - the home of Welsh rugby - would be the solitary venue used in Wales for the proposed five-nation tournament.

The joint Ireland and UK bid is the strong favourite to succeed, despite the chaotic and violent scenes that marred last year's men's Euro 2020 final at Wembley, amid a rival application from Turkey.

"We hope to have the first match of Euro 2028 in the Principality Stadium," Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney told the PA news agency.

"We have submitted the dossier with our co-countries and we will have a decision by September 2023.

"It's us against Turkey and we're clearly economically fan-wise a really strong bid.

"We've hosted the Champions League final (in 2017), but to host the Euros in Cymru (Wales) would be spectacular.

"With Cardiff having a stadium in the centre of the city and Wembley most likely to host the final, that would be a really good destination for the opening game.

"There's lots of discussions around it, but I think we are well positioned to do that - and we hope to have Cymru kicking off in the first game of Euro 2028."

Ireland's two venues are expected to be the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park, while England is expected to provide six venues from a reported 10-strong shortlist.

Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London Stadium, Old Trafford, City of Manchester Stadium, Everton Stadium, St James' Park, Villa Park, Stadium MK and the Stadium of Light are all potential venues.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would have one stadium each.

UEFA has decided against expanding the finals from 24 to 32 teams, and the