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The England national team will embark on their Euro 2028 journey at the Manchester City’s stadium, provided that they secure the expected passage for a competition staged throughout the majority of the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Manchester City’s home ground has not staged an English men’s match since May 2016, when the visitors were beaten 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is highly likely to host the Three Lions for their inaugural game on a Saturday in June 2028.

The English side are planned to play their last two group stage games at the national stadium, but, should they win Group B, their knockout stage opener would take place at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Finishing second would mean commencing the knockouts at Everton’s ground.

Competition Opening and Demonstration

The event was launched at an gathering in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday evening. Key representatives from the tournament organizers and the host football associations were heckled as they entered the site by approximately 50 pro-Palestine demonstrators, who called for Israel to be expelled from international football because of the situation in Gaza.

Banners were held up with slogans reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while activists chanted: “Kick Israel out.”

Event Timeline

The inaugural fixture of the tournament will be staged at the Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital, on Friday 9 June, a match that will involve the Dragons if they secure a place.

Wembley will host both semi-finals and the championship match, which will be played on July 9, 2028 with a start time at 5pm.

It is anticipated that an earlier start, which will also be implemented for UEFA Champions League finals from the upcoming season, will attract households and help connect with a wider spectrum of fans.

Qualifying Teams

The Irish team are set to play their opening match at the Dublin Arena and the Scottish team would play similarly at Glasgow’s 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 fail to qualify for Euro 2028 through that route.

Stadiums and Knockout Stage

The Birmingham venue and The North London arena finalize the event’s nine venues. Every stadium will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches held at the national stadium of each host.

The draw for the qualifiers will be staged in Belfast, which was removed as a venue city last year when it was revealed the Belfast stadium could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026.

Leadership Comment

“The event will be a competition for the fans and a celebration of everything we cherish about the sport – its passion and capacity to unite individuals.”

Over 3 million passes, a unprecedented number for a Euro tournament, are expected to be released to supporters.