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The English squad will initiate their Euro 2028 campaign at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they achieve the expected passage for a competition hosted across the majority of the UK and the Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not hosted an Three Lions game since the spring of 2016, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is highly likely to host the national team for their inaugural game on June 10, 2028.

England are set to play their final two group matches at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning their group, their knockout stage opener would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean beginning the knockouts at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Championship Kickoff and Demonstration

The championship was inaugurated at an ceremony in a London landmark on the previous evening. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host FAs were confronted as they approached the location by about 50 protesters, who demanded Israel’s national side to be expelled from international football because of the Gaza crisis.

Banners were held up with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Fixture List

The inaugural fixture of the European Championship will be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a fixture that will involve Wales if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the title decider, which will be played on Sunday 9 July with a start time at 5:00 PM.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will appeal to households and help reach a wider spectrum of audiences.

Participating Countries

The Ireland are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and the Tartan Army would do the same at Hampden Park.

All four host countries’ teams will participate in the qualification process; two reserved places will be reserved for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through the standard process.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 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 qualifying draw will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was excluded as a host city last year when it became clear Casement Park could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we value about the sport – its emotion and ability to bring people together.”

Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be made available to attendees.