England Prepares for Euro 2028 Qualification Campaign

The England national team, known as the Three Lions, has successfully navigated recent qualification campaigns, with their last failure to reach a major international tournament occurring in 2008 under coach Steve McClaren. As they set their sights on continental success in 2028, they are now clear on the roadmap ahead.

England is determined to reach their third consecutive Euro finals, having faced heartbreak against Italy and Spain in the previous two tournaments. Their quest for the ultimate prize will commence in Manchester, marking the first England men’s game at the Etihad Stadium since May 2016, when they lost 2-1 to Turkey in a friendly.

This opening match is scheduled for Saturday, June 10, 2028. Following this, England will return to Wembley Stadium for their two remaining group-stage fixtures. Should they finish atop Group B, they will advance to a last-16 match at St. James’ Park in Newcastle. Conversely, if they place second, they will compete at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Wales has been informed that, if they qualify, Cardiff will host the tournament’s opening game on Friday, June 9. The Republic of Ireland will see matches played in Dublin, while Hampden Park in Scotland will also host fixtures. Both semi-finals and the final are set to take place at Wembley in North London. Notably, two automatic qualification spots will be reserved for host nations that do not qualify through the standard routes.

The list of nine host venues includes Villa Park and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with each venue ensured a role in at least one knockout match. The quarter-finals will be distributed across the national stadiums of the four host nations. The qualifying draw is scheduled for Belfast, as Northern Ireland will not host any matches due to the inability to redevelop Casement Park in time.

The final will occur on Sunday, July 9, kicking off at 5 PM—three hours earlier than the last Euros final held at Wembley in 2021, which was marred by fan unrest as supporters breached barriers.

Debbie Hewitt, Chair of the Football Association, discussed the decision to advance the kick-off time in accordance with changes to Champions League final timings, stating, “It’s easier to get there—we all know what happens to public transport late on a Sunday night. We hope that fans will want to celebrate after the game, and this timing facilitates that. Safety and security are also paramount, making this a sensible choice.”

Hewitt also emphasized the collaboration with UEFA to ensure fair ticket pricing, aiming to create a tournament that is accessible and celebratory for fans: “It will be a festival showcasing the passion of the game. We are not in favor of dynamic ticket pricing, and I believe UEFA understands our position. They have been excellent partners, recognizing our shared goal of making this the most accessible Euros possible. We are carefully considering ticket pricing to ensure accessibility metrics are met.”

The qualifying draw for Euro 2028 is set for December 6, 2026, with the group stage taking place from March 2027 to November 2027, and the play-offs occurring in March 2028. Ultimately, 24 teams will participate in the tournament.