Euro 2028: UK and Ireland WILL host tournament as rivals drop out with football to come home
Euro 2028: The UK and Ireland are set to host the prestigious tournament
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The UK and Ireland are set to host Euro 2028 after rivals Turkey dropped out of the bidding process.
It means they are now unopposed, with UEFA set to officially announce the host for the tournament that commences in five years' time.
Turkey were originally hoping to compete with the bid from the UK and Ireland.
However, having planned to team up with Italy, they've now abandoned those plans giving their opponents a free path.
Euro 2028: Wembley is one of the stadiums set to host football matches in five years' time
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A final decision on the hosts will take place on October 10 in Nyon.
The UK and Ireland originally ended a plan to be Europe's preferred candidate for the 2030 World Cup.
They feared stiff competition when it came to hosting that tournament, with Morocco, Spain and Portugal poised to scrap it out instead.
It is, however, still unclear if all five countires - England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland - will be able to play.
It was previously stated by The Independent that it was 'unlikely' UEFA would let all five automatically compete in the competition.
The UK and Ireland previously revealed the 10 stadiums that they intend to host matches.
Two are yet to be built, with Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock and Belfast's Casement Park still in development.
Work on Everton's new ground has already started, despite the Toffees enduring a horrendous start to the new season.
Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson, meanwhile, previously insisted Casement Park construction will commence once the bid to host the Euros is successful.
The ground hasn't been used in a decade but they intend to make it a new 34,500-capacity stadium.
Manchester City's Etihad Stadium is set to be used, along with Newcastle's St James' Park.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park and Wembley will also be part of the operation - with the latter widely expected to host the final.
Cardiff's Principality Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Dublin's Aviva Stadium also make the cut.
Three of the biggest grounds in England won't be used, however.
Manchester United's Old Trafford, Liverpool's Anfield and West Ham's London Stadium are not part of the plans.
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Cardiff's Principality Stadium is set to host matches at Euro 2028
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United agreed to mutually withdraw because of the uncertainty around the stadium at present.
With the club potentially set to be sold to new owners, there are designs to either revamp the ground - or build afresh.
Anfield, meanwhile, was never in contention because the size of the pitch does not meet UEFA requirements.
The British and Irish bid has been backed by prime minister Rishi Sunak, as well as Irish PM Leo Varadkar, Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf and Wales first minister Mark Drakeford.
A statement released earlier this year said: "It will be the biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged – a passionate and unforgettable celebration, with long-term benefits for our cities and communities as well as all European football."
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