Euro 2028 hosts England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland have to qualify for finals

The landscape of future UEFA European Championships is set for a notable shift, as the governing body has confirmed that the four Home Nations co-hosting Euro 2028 will not receive automatic qualification. This decision marks a departure from previous tournaments where host countries typically secured direct entry. Instead, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland must now earn their spots through the rigorous qualification rounds.

The 2028 edition of the tournament, featuring 24 teams, will be staged across nine venues spanning the four host nations. The altered qualification protocols, necessitated by the unique four-nation hosting arrangement, outline a clear pathway for participation. A total of 20 nations will secure direct qualification: 12 as group winners from the qualifying stage, and eight as the best-placed runners-up.

For the remaining four spots, a specific system has been devised. Two of these highly coveted places will be allocated to the two best-ranked host nations who do not manage to qualify automatically through the group phase. The final two spots will then be determined via a series of play-off matches involving the remaining runners-up from the group stage. An interesting contingency also exists: should all four Home Nations successfully emerge through qualifying as either group winners or runners-up, then all four of these additional spots will be contested entirely through the play-off rounds.

Top-tier venues...

The tournament is set to utilize a selection of top-tier stadiums across the co-hosting countries. England will contribute six venues: the iconic Wembley Stadium, Etihad Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park, Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, and St James' Park in Newcastle. Further host stadiums include Dublin's Aviva Stadium in the Republic of Ireland, Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Notably, Northern Ireland was initially designated as a host nation, but has since withdrawn from this role after Belfast's Casement Park was deemed unsuitable due to unresolved funding issues.

The full qualification schedule for Euro 2028 is anticipated to be finalized in the autumn of 2025, setting the stage for a compelling and competitive journey for the host nations as they aim to play on home soil.