IRELAND'S DREAMS of automatically reaching an international tournament in 2028 are set to be quashed by UEFA, despite winning the bid for Euro 2028.
It has been reported that even though Ireland will be part of the bid with England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland they will still have to qualify anyway for the event in 2028.
In football, the host of a tournament usually gets automatic qualification to the group stages in the summer, but the Boys in Green won't be getting that luxury reports The Mirror
UEFA have traditionally offered up to two automatic qualification places at European Championships for host countries.
This was done most recently for Euro 2012, where Ukraine and Poland held the tournament together.
The reason UEFA won't be granting Ireland a pass to the event in 2028 is due to the amount of countries in the bid.
UEFA are set to tell Ireland they will have to qualify for Euro 2028 despite closing in on co-host status.#Euro2028https://t.co/b7qZHgYBoR
— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) March 22, 2022
This is very odd as Dublin is set to host eight games, which includes a quarter final in six years.
Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium could be used as Dublin’s host venues alongside Aviva Stadium.
If the tournament is increased to 32 teams , it may give Ireland a chance.
It is possible that UEFA could hold two automatic qualifying places in reserve as a fallback option, should any of the hosts fail to qualify via traditional means.
The home nations and Ireland are set to win the bid for the tournament without any rivals bids from other countries reports The Times
The deadline is tomorrow and is expected to be ratified by UEFA
Uefa's final list of bidders on April 5 will be announced and that is more than likely going to contain only Ireland and the UK's bid
If it did become a contest, UEFA will officially reveal the winning bid in September 2023.
In other news the Irish Government are expecting to back the country's joint bid.
Cathrine Martin, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sport and Minister of State Jack Chambers will back the FAI with a letter of support that will be sent to the Government
It is reported that Martin will indicate to the cabinet that the joint bid by the FAI will push UEFA in the right direction
🚨 OFFICIAL: Great Britain and Ireland will host EURO 2028. 🇬🇧🇮🇪
UEFA have not received any other host applications.
(Source: @thetimes) pic.twitter.com/pxevTFPkQF— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 22, 2022
See More: Euro 2028, Football, Ireland
