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England’s men’s team will commence their UEFA Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they achieve the expected entry for a championship taking place in most of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic.

Manchester City’s home ground has not welcomed an Three Lions match since May 2016, when the visitors were defeated 2-1 in a friendly, but is almost certain to stage the England side for their opening fixture on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their concluding group fixtures at the national stadium, but, should they win the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would be held at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Rally

The tournament was unveiled at an event in a London landmark on Wednesday night. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the location by around fifty pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for the Israeli team to be expelled from global football because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were displayed with phrases saying “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.”

Championship Timeline

The opening game of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on a Friday in June 2028, a match that will involve the Welsh team if they make it.

Wembley Stadium will host the penultimate rounds and the championship match, which will be held on Sunday 9 July with a kick-off time at late afternoon.

It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be adopted for European club finals from next season, will attract households and help reach a broader range of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Ireland are set to play their opening match at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would play similarly at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

Each host nation’s squad will take part in the qualification process; two automatic spots will be set aside for any that do not reach the tournament through that route.

Venues and Elimination Phase

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground round out the nine tournament locations. All will hold at least one playoff fixture, with the quarter-finals played at every host’s main arena.

The qualification draw will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a host city last year when it emerged the Belfast stadium could not be upgraded in time, on December 6, 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we value about the game – its fervor and capacity to foster unity.”

More than three million passes, a record for a men’s European Championship, are expected to be released to fans.