Cardiff Hosts Euro 2028 Opener; Wembley Secures Semis and Final

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Cardiff Hosts Euro 2028 Opener; Wembley Secures Semis and Final

Cardiff has been selected to host the opening match of Euro 2028, marking a significant milestone for Welsh football. The tournament will also feature the semi-finals and final, which will take place at Wembley Stadium in London. This prestigious event will utilize nine venues across four host nations: England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.

Overview of Euro 2028 Host Cities

Originally, Belfast was in contention to host matches, but Casement Park was removed from consideration due to funding issues. As a result, the tournament will proceed without matches in Northern Ireland.

Key Facts about Euro 2028

Opening Match: Cardiff, Wales
Semi-finals and Final: Wembley Stadium, London
Participating Nations: England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland
Total Venues: Nine venues across four nations
Date of Qualifying Draw: 6 December 2026, Belfast

Historic Significance

Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, emphasized the importance of this event for the nation. He stated, “This will be the first time that ‘The Red Wall’ – our passionate Wales fans – will experience a major international tournament on home soil.” He noted that this occasion would showcase Welsh culture on a global stage.

Host Nation Qualification

In a departure from previous tournaments, host nations will need to qualify for Euro 2028. However, they are guaranteed to play their group matches at home if successful. Each host nation will compete in separate qualifying groups, with additional spots awarded to the highest-ranked teams failing to qualify.

Quarter-finals and Other Venues

The quarter-finals will take place at various venues including:

Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Hampden Park, Glasgow
Wembley Stadium, London

In total, there will be 51 matches played across these stadiums. The last-16 games will be hosted in all venues except Wembley. Should England advance from their group, they will compete at either St James’ Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium, depending on their ranking.

Statements from Organizers

Debbie Hewitt, chair of UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, expressed her commitment to creating an exceptional tournament. “It will be a tournament for the fans and a festival of everything we love about the game,” she said. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin also voiced enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the historical significance of the host nations in the development of football.