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Ireland in mix for automatic qualification for Euro 2028
The organisers of the five-nation bid for Euro 2028 are exploring the idea of looking for two automatic places in the tournament – with Ireland the leading candidate to join England in the event the scenario comes to pass.
www.independent.ie
The organisers of the five-nation bid for Euro 2028 are exploring the idea of looking for two automatic places in the tournament – with Ireland the leading candidate to join England in the event the scenario comes to pass.
As it stands, the Britain and Ireland bid to host the tournament is the favourite to see off Turkey although victory is by no means guaranteed.
Discussions around the weekend Euro 2024 draw indicated that UEFA are prepared to shelve plans to expand the finals from 24 to 32 teams.
The associations of England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are in the process of lobbying and drawing up plans and there is no chance that all five will be given a free pass to the finals tournament.
However, the idea of seeking two places – to guarantee home involvement in key areas – has been discussed. England would be the primary host, contributing six stadiums to the staging, so they would naturally be best placed to capitalise.
Yet Ireland would be in the mix as, under provisional plans, two stadiums from this jurisdiction would be used – the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have one competition venue, although doubts hang over the latter being able to deliver that given that it hinges on the Casement Park project or special dispensation for Windsor Park.
