Cardiff to Kick Off Euro 2028, Wembley to Host Semis and Final: UK and Ireland Co-Hosts

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London, UK - The European Football Championship in 2028 will kick off in style with Cardiff's National Stadium of Wales hosting the opening match, according to official tournament organizers. The UK and Ireland will jointly host the event, with Wembley Stadium in London set to stage the highly anticipated semifinals and final. At a launch event Wednesday, details of the expanded tournament were confirmed, featuring eight host cities across Britain and Ireland. The draw for qualifying will take place in Belfast in December 2027. The 2028 Euros will be a 31-day extravaganza, featuring 24 teams competing in 51 matches. The tournament format will see the top two teams from six mini-groups advance to the round of 16, joined by the four best third-placed teams. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the economic benefits and inspiring potential of the tournament, stating, 'This event will bring fans from across Europe to iconic footballing cities, inspire the next generation, and deliver billions in economic benefits.' Host cities for the tournament include Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle. The semifinals and final will be held at Wembley, while the quarterfinals will be played at Dublin Arena, Hampden Park, National Stadium of Wales, and Wembley. Over 3 million match tickets will be available to fans, although purchasing details have not been revealed by UEFA. The co-hosts will participate in Euro 2028 qualifying, with two places reserved for the best-ranked teams that fail to qualify directly. England's group games will be determined based on its qualification status, with fans eager to see the team in action at Manchester's Manchester City Stadium or Wembley.