🔗 Share this article The English Team to Begin UEFA Euro 2028 Journey at the Etihad Stadium England’s men’s team will embark on their 2028 European Championship adventure at the Etihad Stadium, provided that they secure the anticipated qualification for a tournament staged throughout the bulk of Britain and the Republic of Ireland. City’s stadium has not staged an England men’s match since eight years ago, when the Turkish team were defeated 2-1 in a exhibition match, but is expected to welcome the Three Lions for their first match on Saturday 10 June 2028. England are set to play their final two group matches at Wembley Stadium, but, if they top the preliminary round, their round of 16 match would occur at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. Placing second would mean starting the knockouts at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium. Championship Launch and Protest The event was launched at an event in Piccadilly Circus on Wednesday night. Senior figures from European football’s governing body and the host football associations were barracked as they approached the venue by about 50 protesters, who called for Israel to be expelled from the sport because of the Gaza crisis. Signs were displayed with phrases reading “Show Israel the red card” and “You are complicit”, while demonstrators called out: “Kick Israel out.” Tournament Fixture List The first match of the European Championship will be staged at the the national stadium of Wales in Cardiff, on Friday 9 June, a game that will involve the Welsh team if they make it. The national stadium will host the two semi-final matches and the final, which will be held on July 9, 2028 with a kick-off time at late afternoon. It is anticipated that an earlier kick-off, which will also be used for UEFA Champions League finals from the following campaign, will attract households and help engage a broader range of fans. Participating Countries The Republic of Ireland are set to play their initial fixture at the Dublin stadium and Scotland would follow suit at the national stadium of Scotland. Each host nation’s squad will enter the qualifying tournament; two automatic spots will be held in reserve for any that do not reach the tournament through the qualification path. Stadiums and Knockout Stage The Birmingham venue and Spurs’ ground round out the event’s nine venues. All will hold at least one elimination game, with the quarterfinal matches played at every host’s main arena. The draw for the qualifiers will be conducted in Belfast, which was removed as a tournament location last year when it emerged Casement Park could not be renovated in time, on a date in late 2026. Tournament Vision “It will be a tournament for the fans and a celebration of everything we love about the game – its emotion and power to bring people together.” Over 3 million passes, a all-time high for a men’s European Championship, are anticipated to be released to fans.