Host Nations will have to qualify for Euro 2028

According to Uefa, the competition must include England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland as part of its qualifying process.

The 24-team competition will take place at nine locations throughout the four host countries.

Northern Ireland was initially designated as the host country, but it has since changed its mind after Belfast’s Casement Park was dropped as a result of funding.

Due to the fact that the 2028 edition will be held across four nations and will each be in separate qualifying groups, Uefa has had to change its protocols, in contrast to previous Euros where the hosts were automatically declared winners.

Instead, 20 nations will advance, with 12 winning the group and 8 finishing in the top eight spots.

The remaining runners-up and the best-ranked non-qualified group winners of the 2026-27 Nations League will each receive play-offs to determine the final two spots.

The host nations’ number of spots will determine the composition of the play-offs.

Eight teams will compete for the final two spots in single-leg semi-finals and finals if two are used.

If one is used, 12 nations will compete for the final three spots, with single-leg semi-finals and finals, in three different ways.

Eight teams will compete in four home-and-away play-offs, with the winners going through if none of the four places are used by host nations.

In addition to Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow, and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, there will be games at Wembley, Etihad Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, and St James’ Park in Newcastle.