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The English squad will initiate their 2028 European Championship journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they attain the anticipated entry for a tournament staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Ireland.

City’s stadium has not staged an English men’s game since May 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to welcome the national team for their first match on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The event was inaugurated at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were barracked as they entered the site by about 50 activists, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

Placards were held up with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists shouted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The opening game of Euro 2028 will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on June 9, 2028, a game that will feature Wales if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the championship match, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is hoped that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will cater to families and help engage a broader range of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are scheduled to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the qualification process; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on the finals through that route.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the last eight staged at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was excluded as a host city last year when it was revealed the proposed venue could not be redeveloped in time, on a date in late 2026.

Official Statement

“It will be a competition for the supporters and a festival of everything we love about the football – its passion and ability to bring people together.”

In excess of three million tickets, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be made available to supporters.