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The English squad will commence their Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they achieve the relatively straightforward entry for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

The Etihad Stadium has not hosted an English men’s match since May 2016, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the England side for their first match on June 10, 2028.

The English side are set to play their last two group stage games at Wembley, but, if they top Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at the Newcastle stadium. Finishing second would mean beginning the playoffs at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Opening and Rally

The tournament was inaugurated at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from Uefa and the host football associations were barracked as they entered the site by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for the Israeli team to be removed from the sport because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were held up with slogans stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The first match of the tournament will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve Wales if they qualify.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to family audiences and help reach a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are set to play their first game at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would play similarly at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will enter the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route.

Venues and Elimination Phase

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground round out the nine host stadiums. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight staged at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be held in Belfast, which was dropped as a venue city last year when it was revealed Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Tournament Vision

“It will be a competition for the followers and a festival of everything we value about the football – its emotion and power to foster unity.”

In excess of three million passes, a record for a Euro tournament, are anticipated to be released to supporters.