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The England national team will initiate their Euro 2028 journey at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they attain the relatively straightforward passage for a tournament staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an Three Lions fixture since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were beaten 2-1 in a warm-up game, but is expected to welcome the national team for their opening fixture on Saturday 10 June 2028.

England are scheduled to play their last two group stage games at Wembley Stadium, but, in the event of winning Group B, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Securing the runner-up spot would mean starting the elimination stage at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Tournament Launch and Protest

The championship was inaugurated at an gathering in central London on the previous evening. Key representatives from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were confronted as they entered the site by around fifty protesters, who urged Israel to be kicked out from international football because of the conflict in Gaza.

Banners were displayed with phrases stating “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while protesters chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Tournament Timeline

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be played at the Cardiff’s stadium in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a game that will involve the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley Stadium will host both semi-finals and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a commencement at 5pm.

It is expected that an afternoon start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from next season, will cater to family audiences and help engage a wider spectrum of viewers.

Qualifying Teams

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

The national sides of all four hosts will take part in the preliminary stage; two reserved places will be set aside for any that miss out on Euro 2028 through that route.

Locations and Knockout Stage

Aston Villa’s stadium and Spurs’ ground complete the nine tournament locations. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the last eight staged at the national stadium of each host.

The qualifying draw will be held in the Northern Irish capital, which was dropped 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 competition for the fans and a festival of everything we value about the sport – its fervor and capacity to bring people together.”

More than three million admissions, a record for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be offered to attendees.