UEFA confirmed receipt of the expression of interest on Wednesday (March 23, 2022) shortly after the application deadline for the two tournaments. Russian media had previously reported on the plans.
According to the Tass agency, the head of the association, Alexander Dyukov, said Russia had made a corresponding declaration of intent. The association now has until April 12, 2023 to prepare the application. Russia has experience in hosting major tournaments, Dyukov said. The country hosted the World Cup in 2018, in 2021 several matches of the European Championship were held in the metropolitan city of St. Petersburg. Dyukov is also a member of the UEFA Executive Committee.
Russian teams banned
UEFA had suspended Russian teams after attacking Ukraine and also banned the Russian national team from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Russian association, on the other hand, was not suspended, so nothing stood in the way of an application for the time being.
UEFA has now announced that it will reassess the legal and factual situation “if necessary” with a view to Russia’s declaration of interest in becoming the organizer of the European Championship. In September 2023, the hosts of the two European Championship tournaments in 2028 and 2032 will be announced.
Euro 2028: British-Irish bid as favourites
In addition to Russia, Turkey is also applying for the EM 2028. However, the clear favorite is the joint application of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. The five associations had decided against an initially targeted application for the 2030 World Cup after the power struggle between FIFA and Uefa in the dispute over the possible two-year rhythm of the World Cup.