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England’s men’s team will initiate their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the expected entry for a tournament staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

City’s stadium has not staged an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when the visitors were beaten 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 team are planned to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean commencing the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Launch and Rally

The event was launched at an ceremony in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from Uefa and the organizing bodies were heckled as they arrived the location by approximately 50 protesters, who called for Israel’s national side to be removed from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were held up with messages stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in the Welsh capital, on a Friday in June 2028, a game that will feature Wales if they qualify.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on a Sunday in July 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract families and help reach a wider spectrum of fans.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are set to play their first game at the Dublin stadium and the Scottish team would do the same at the national stadium of Scotland.

The national sides of all four hosts will enter the preliminary stage; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through that route.

Venues and Playoffs

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground complete the nine host stadiums. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches staged at each country’s national stadium.

The qualification draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“This will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we value about the game – its passion and power to foster unity.”

More than three million passes, a record for a Euro tournament, are expected to be offered to fans.