Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Aviva Stadium is the sole nominated venue for games in Ireland. Alamy Stock Photo

Tánaiste says it's 'important' Ireland gets to participate in Euro 2028 because of hosting role

Uefa’s favoured plan is understood to be for all five nations to go through qualification, with two host nation places available for any that fail to qualify.

TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has told the Dáil that it’s “important” that Ireland gets to participate in Euro 2028 because of its role as joint-host.

Ireland is set to co-host the 2028 Uefa European Championships alongside the United Kingdom, after Uefa yesterday confirmed that their bid to stage the tournament is unopposed.

Turkey initially submitted a rival bid for the tournament but subsequently announced their intention to bid for the 2032 edition of the tournament, against Italy.

It then emerged earlier this year that Turkey and Italy would submit a joint bid for the 2032 tournament rather than compete against one another, and yesterday Uefa announced that Turkey’s bid for 2028 has been withdrawn as a result.

That leaves the Irish/UK bid for 2028 unopposed, with the final hurdle to clear being ratification by a vote at Uefa’s Executive Committee meeting in Switzerland next Tuesday, which is expected to be a formality.

The Aviva Stadium is the sole nominated venue for games in Ireland, while Casement Park is the sole nominated venue in Northern Ireland, as Windsor Park falls short of capacity requirements.

Speaking in the Dáil today, Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy Deputy Matt Carthy welcomed news that the “British and Irish bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 competition is set to be successful”.

“We all look forward to seeing fans from across Europe attending games in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and Casement Park in Belfast,” added Deputy Carthy.

However, he noted that “we need to ensure that the redevelopment of Casement Park is completed on time”.

Casement Park has been idle since 2013 and proposals to redevelop it has hit many snags in the decade since.

The last projected build cost for Casement Park stadium was £110 million (€127 m), having originally been estimated at £77.5 million (€90 m) when the plan was first drawn up.

However, it is expected the delay caused by a court challenge combined with soaring inflation rates could see the final cost reach well in excess of £110 million.

Addressing Martin in the Dáil, Carthy said: “I would appreciate it if the Tánaiste would outline the role he sees his Government taking to support the redevelopment of Casement Park, a crucial piece of the jigsaw in a project that could become a great international showcase for our country.”

In response, Martin said he is “delighted about the Uefa bid”.

He added: “What is important is that, first of all, we get host nation participation in the finals. That should be sorted.”

There are no guarantees that all five nations (Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales) will qualify for the finals.

Uefa’s favoured plan is understood to be for all five nations to go through qualification, with two host nation places available for any that fail to qualify.

However, if more than two nations fail to qualify on merit, only the two best-performing countries would make it.

Meanwhile, Martin said that “stadia have to be developed and the UK Government has significant obligations in this regard as well”.

He added: “The Irish Government will work with the UK Government to make sure that our stadia are fit for purpose, available and developed with a view to making sure that we can host the event. 

“It is great for the fans and all supporters of football.”

-With additional reporting from Gavin Cooney, Christina Finn, and Press Association

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
35 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Murphy
    Favourite Niall Murphy
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:27 PM

    Yes and it’s more important to hang on to our NEUTRALITY you gobshte.

    243
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Temp Stuff
    Favourite Temp Stuff
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 9:55 AM

    Perhaps it’s time to stop front windowing Ireland to the world and just be quiet. Focus on local for a few years.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin O Connell
    Favourite Martin O Connell
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 11:06 PM

    Just imagine the price of a Hotel!!!! It’ll be a hoteliers price gouging wet dream come true.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Murray
    Favourite Dave Murray
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:58 PM

    The DUP can pretend all they like that they support this bid, but they are seething that Casement Park has been picked. Watch them try to block any funding to help get this stadium built.

    88
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Modern Irish Dad
    Favourite Modern Irish Dad
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:26 PM

    Build the Bertie Bowl

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Doyle
    Favourite Shane Doyle
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:39 PM

    @Modern Irish Dad: that was one overpriced obscenity and don’t get me started on that stadium

    79
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Modern Irish Dad
    Favourite Modern Irish Dad
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:41 PM

    @Shane Doyle: lol

    15
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spanner
    Favourite Spanner
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 10:24 PM

    @Shane Doyle: India landed on the moon for less than the reports to see if building the stadium was feasible. Imagine what it would cost to build it now, not counting the new studies for cost benefit analysis. We waste money, opportunities, talent, and people in this country because the lowest bidder gets the contract (look where thats got us) then costs multiples more, the business plan must show its profitable (but dosent rate sporting success for its pure value in national pride) and we as a people have no real vision beyond the paris and county level for the most part.
    But Michael has spoken and lets face it qualification as host would be our best hope of getting there.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Conforms
    Favourite John Conforms
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 10:40 PM

    Why are the comments closed for important articles and open for useless info ?

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Willie Marty
    Favourite Willie Marty
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:41 PM

    All Ireland team like the rugby only way forward.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean
    Favourite Sean
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 10:00 PM

    @Willie Marty: Inn Ur endo!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ivan Genockey
    Favourite Ivan Genockey
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:38 PM

    So Ireland, Scotland, Wales and norden iron will qualify.
    This could actually stop us from going to see good football being played.
    They give two spots, let them all try to qualify normally and those who don’t go into a playoff against each other to get the two spots.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Barrett
    Favourite Dave Barrett
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 10:42 PM

    Where will spectators stay.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Horan Appreciation Club
    Favourite Niall Horan Appreciation Club
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:26 PM

    Stephen Kenny may get another few years so

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mike Walsh
    Favourite Mike Walsh
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 10:12 PM

    Rather that wasting tax payers money they should have selected the Cork stadium

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nestor
    Favourite Nestor
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 11:20 PM

    So, can Stephen Kenny come last in a contest between five football teams with the prize a place in Euro 2028?

    Oh yes!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hvWxJ10P
    Favourite hvWxJ10P
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 6:13 AM

    The idea of our money being used to pay to redevelop Casement Park is ludicrous.
    The idea of 5 teams automatically prequalifying for the finals in its present format is ludicrous.
    The idea of us not qualifying in whatever manner for the finals to be held partially here is also not conceivable.
    The idea of giving the FAI responsibility for organising and being accountable for anything more complicated than a P up in a brewery is beyond comprehension.
    I hope we do not underwrite anything that has the FAI’s fingerprints on it.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louis Jacob
    Favourite Louis Jacob
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:33 PM

    At least make all the host nations first seeds in qualification.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute
    Favourite
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 1:08 AM

    @Louis Jacob: why? It makes no sense whatsoever from the tournament perspective

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mcmahon
    Favourite John Mcmahon
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 2:35 AM

    It will be great to see Mary lou and Michelle welcoming the teams to Ireland !!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Fielding
    Favourite Michael Fielding
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 9:41 PM

    LOL

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute M G
    Favourite M G
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 5:56 AM

    Can’t even get a hotel country a joke

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bríann O'Connor
    Favourite Bríann O'Connor
    Report
    Oct 5th 2023, 10:45 PM

    Even this news isn’t good enough for the usual tiresome trolls.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Journal Factchecker
    Favourite Journal Factchecker
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 5:55 AM

    As long as the goon Kenny isn’t involved…Bring back the long ball!! #putthemunderpressure

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BL Music
    Favourite BL Music
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 10:46 AM

    FFG.. we do not want to support wars or the puppet in Ukraine.
    We want peace and peace talks and not a yes man robot poncing around Europe declaring undying support.

    We DO NOT SUPPORT WAR …

    YES TO PEACE and NEUTRALITY

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Kavanagh
    Favourite Paul Kavanagh
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 11:07 AM

    All about optics these gurriers. Once it looks good abroad that’s all they care about.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Timo
    Favourite Timo
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 11:36 AM

    We haven’t a chance of getting out of the group, never mind getting to the quarter final again.
    Maybe we can get 4 bonus points to start off
    Like the governments bonus at Christmas

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry o donnell
    Favourite Terry o donnell
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 2:22 AM

    Good luck with that!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keth Tgi
    Favourite Keth Tgi
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 1:00 PM

    Well yes… that would be embarrassing should we not qualify, but let’s be honest; win?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spudgesh
    Favourite Spudgesh
    Report
    Oct 6th 2023, 2:55 PM

    Bring that teen to connemara, take all the bikes he wants

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds