Russia wants the European Football Championship in 2028 or 2032 – British and Irish favorites

Turkey is also applying

Despite tough sanctions over the war of aggression against Ukraine, almost completely isolated Russia wants to host the European Championship in 2028 or 2032. A corresponding declaration of intent had been made, said the head of the Russian association, Aleksandr Dyukov, on Wednesday, according to the “Tass” news agency. The association now has until April 12, 2023 to prepare the application. Russia has experience in hosting big tournaments, Dyukov said. The country hosted the 2018 World Cup, in 2021 several matches of the European Championship were held in St. Petersburg.

Great Britain and Ireland are the favorites to host the tournament in six years’ time. The football associations submitted a joint application for the European Championship on Wednesday, the last day of the application period. The European Football Union UEFA wants to announce the organizers in September 2023. The tournament is to be awarded together with the 2032 finals. Italy is being discussed as a host. Meanwhile, Turkey is also applying for the major event in 2028, as the national football association announced on Wednesday.

“We believe that EURO 2028 will be one of the biggest sporting events the UK and Ireland have ever hosted,” said a joint British and Irish statement. “This unprecedented partnership of five associations offers something special to European football, including the potential for an expanded tournament.”

In February, the associations of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland announced that they would not bid for the 2030 World Cup. Last year, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke euphorically of plans for the World Cup. However, after the failed English World Cup applications for 2006 and 2018, he received sharp criticism.

Meanwhile, Russia’s bid is untimely and has no chance of success in the foreseeable future. Russian teams and athletes were suspended from their sports federations following the February 24 military attack on Ukraine. The Russian national team has just been excluded from qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the International Court of Arbitration for Sports CAS had also rejected an objection by the association.

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