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The England national team will embark on their UEFA Euro 2028 campaign at the Manchester City’s stadium, on the condition that they achieve the relatively straightforward qualification for a competition taking place in the bulk of Britain and the Irish Republic.

City’s stadium has not staged an English men’s match since eight years ago, when the visitors were overcome 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to host the national team for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The team are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their last-16 tie would be held at St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean starting the elimination stage at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Protest

The event was inaugurated at an gathering in a London landmark on the previous evening. High-ranking officials from the tournament organizers and the host FAs were barracked as they arrived the location by around fifty activists, who demanded the Israeli team to be kicked out from global football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Placards were held up with messages 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 staged at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, a match that will involve the Welsh team if they secure a place.

The national stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be staged on Sunday 9 July with a commencement at 5pm.

It is hoped that an earlier kick-off, which will also be implemented for Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will cater to families and help connect with a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are due to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would do the same at Glasgow’s Hampden Park.

The national sides of all four hosts will participate in the preliminary stage; two guaranteed slots will be set aside for any that do not reach Euro 2028 through the qualification path.

Stadiums and Playoffs

The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground finalize the nine tournament locations. Each one will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarter-finals staged at every host’s main arena.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in the Northern Irish capital, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it emerged the proposed venue could not be upgraded in time, on 6 December 2026.

Leadership Comment

“It will be a tournament for the supporters and a celebration of everything we cherish about the game – its emotion and ability to unite individuals.”

More than three million admissions, a unprecedented number for a UEFA European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to supporters.