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The England national team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the the home of Manchester City, provided that they secure the anticipated qualification for a championship taking place in the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

City’s stadium has not staged an English men’s match since May 2016, when Turkey were defeated 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is almost certain to host the national team for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

England are set to play their concluding group fixtures at Wembley, but, should they win the preliminary round, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the elimination stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Competition Opening and Protest

The tournament was unveiled at an event in central London on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the organizing bodies were confronted as they approached the venue by approximately 50 activists, who urged Israel’s national side to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis.

Signs were held up with messages reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Schedule

The first match of the tournament will be played at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will feature the Welsh team if they secure a place.

Wembley will host the penultimate rounds and the final, which will be staged on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at 5:00 PM.

It is hoped that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Participating Countries

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Aviva Stadium and the Scottish team would play similarly at the national stadium of Scotland.

Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualification process; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Villa Park and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine host stadiums. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches held at the national stadium of each host.

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

Official Statement

“The event will be a championship for the followers and a festival of everything we value about the football – its passion and capacity to unite individuals.”

In excess of three million tickets, a unprecedented number for a men’s European Championship, are projected to be made available to fans.