Whether he is still playing for England or enjoying a few pints and watching from the stands, Harry Maguire cannot wait for the European Championship to return to home soil in 2028. UEFA confirmed on Tuesday that the UK and Ireland’s bid to host the tournament had been approved, having gone into decision day unopposed following the withdrawal of Turkey. Six of the 10 venues at the five-nation event will be in England, just seven years on from Glasgow and London hosting matches at the pan-European edition. Gareth Southgate’s men went all the way to the Wembley final at rearranged Euro 2020 and defender Maguire cannot wait to experience another special summer in 2028. “Hopefully, I will be in the squad but, either way, I am sure I will be at the tournament,” the 30-year-old said. “I’ll either be in the stands with my mates having a few pints or in the squad, helping the lads. For sure, I’ll be supporting or playing, either way. “I’m a big fan of England and to have a tournament in this country… you know how the recent tournaments have gone in this country, it brings the country united. There’s a real buzz around the place. “I experienced playing in the final at Wembley against Italy, which was disappointing in the end, but it is a special place to be involved in when the team is playing well in our country.” Maguire went to Euro 2016 as a fan before breaking into the international set-up, going onto play a key role for Southgate’s team at three major tournaments. England can qualify for next year’s Euros over the coming week and intend to go through qualification process in 2028, when UEFA is understood to be reserving two host nation places for any team which does not make it on merit. “Qualifying for a major tournament is tough but also you have to look at it from a positive side,” 59-cap Maguire said ahead of the friendly against Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Italy. “If we don’t qualify for the major tournament, then we are not really there or ready to compete to win the tournament. “This nation now has been successful now for a 10-year period so we now need to start looking at winning these tournaments. “If we can’t get out of the qualifying group, we don’t deserve to be there. “It would be a nightmare scenario but on the other hand we have to play with great belief and confidence that we can get out of the group and qualify. “That’s what we will be looking to do. My eyes are not on ‘28 yet. “We’ve got a big Euros coming up next summer and one that we’re looking forward to.” Read More David Beckham’s support ‘meant everything’ to Harry Maguire in testing times On this day in 2019: England lose long unbeaten qualifying record in Prague LIV Golf fails in bid to be eligible for world ranking points Harry Kane dreaming of leading England to Euro 2028 glory on home soil I am a Tottenham fan – Harry Kane wants Spurs to win Premier League Massimo Luongo feels Australians secretly support Spurs under Ange Postecoglou

Harry Kane is dreaming of exorcising the ghosts of England’s Euro 2020 heartbreak at Wembley by leading them to Euro 2028 glory on home soil. The UK and Ireland’s bid to host the next-but-one European Championship was formally approved on Tuesday, meaning England will get another shot at glory in front of their own fans, seven years after they were a penalty shootout away from winning at Wembley. Kane will be 34 by then and in the twilight of his career, but is planning on still being around and wants to make amends for that despair against Italy two years ago. Asked whether England had unfinished business in a home tournament, he replied: “I think so, we were so close to doing something really magical in the last Euros. “That’s football, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to but for sure there will be a bit between our teeth. “Not just in Germany next summer but being at home, playing games at Wembley will bring back memories of the 2021 Euros. “We will have to wait and see. To win a tournament would be special but to win it in your home country would be a dream come true. “I am aiming to still be around by then but of course, it is still a few years away, but I am a player who, at the moment, feels as good as I have ever felt before and yes, I would like to think my career will go to my late thirties – at least. “As we know, in football a lot of things can change quickly but at the moment, I feel really good. If you ask me now, of course I hope I am there and it means I am still performing at a high level but you never know. We will see. “The perception in sport or football in general is you hit 30 and people start to think the end. But the way I am looking at it is that I almost have the second half of my career. “I played in the first team at Spurs from 20 or 21 so I have had nine or 10 years at the highest level and I am hoping for another eight or nine years at the highest level again. “It all depends. You see some players who want to have a different change or challenge so I would never be able to tell you what I will do but at the moment, I just want to keep playing. To win any tournament with your country is difficult but to do it on your home patch would be just another notch Harry Kane “When you look at (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi, that makes me believe and shows it is possible to play until your late thirties and that is what I am planning to do.” England played six of their seven matches at Euro 2020 at Wembley, although Covid restrictions meant that each game was not in front of a full stadium. But Gareth Southgate’s men still felt the support of the country and Kane believes – like the Lionesses were in 2022 – they will be pushed on even more. “We had an amazing experience in (Euro) 2020 in terms of having six of the games at Wembley so it felt like a home tournament for us,” he said. “Although there were not all the fans in the stadium, we still got amazing support. “Being here and seeing the atmosphere outside the grounds on the way in on the coach gave us a real special feeling and obviously we came within a couple of kicks of winning the trophy. So that definitely gave us more energy and more belief. “That will do the same in 2028. Having full stadiums and all our fans there, the country excited about it will definitely help. I think you saw that with the Lionesses as well. “I was there for the final and saw how much it meant to the fans. The atmosphere not just inside the stadium but outside and the Lionesses were able to get a win. “That would be our main objective. To win any tournament with your country is difficult but to do it on your home patch would be just another notch.” Read More I am a Tottenham fan – Harry Kane wants Spurs to win Premier League Massimo Luongo feels Australians secretly support Spurs under Ange Postecoglou Tommy Fury ‘could beat KSI after 15 pints of beer’ as he eyes world title Jarrod Bowen ‘in a good place’ on England return Rob Page against Wales games moving to Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028 Man City boss Gareth Taylor says communication key to improving officiating

Conference-USA and the Sun Belt get college football started early this week with several games on the schedule for Tuesday night.

Harry Kane says he would love to see Tottenham win the Premier League this season. The club’s record goalscorer, who left to join Bayern Munich in the summer, is enjoying watching Ange Postecoglou turn things around at Spurs in the early part of the campaign. They currently top the Premier League and look like they could challenge Manchester City and Arsenal for the title, albeit with only eight games played. The England captain, who has started life with a bang at his new club, would love to see his former side end their trophy drought. “I have made it clear my whole career I am a Tottenham fan and I would love to see Tottenham do well,” he said. “Spurs are doing pretty well. It’s great to see. I think I’ve said before, the manager is doing great for them with the way they’re playing. “The fans are right behind the team and it’s definitely what they needed after the last few years. I’ll always keep an eye on Spurs and the Premier League. “Of course, there’s still a long way to go, but like the manager said, there’s no reason why the fans shouldn’t be excited and happy with the way things are going. Hopefully they can continue. “There is no other team in the Premier League I would want to win than Tottenham. “Also, I have to be respectful to Bayern Munich and of course, the fans know I will always have a soft spot for Spurs – there is no question about that – but I have got to put all my attention on Bayern Munich and to make us as successful as possible. “So, I know there will be questions, for sure, particularly when Tottenham are doing well. “Of course, I hope they do as well as possible but my main attention is where I am now and trying to perform for Bayern.” Kane has already proven his head is firmly in Munich after a scintillating start where he has nine goals and five assists in nine games. “In terms of the start I’ve been really happy,” he said. I have made it clear my whole career I am a Tottenham fan and I would love to see Tottenham do well Harry Kane “There’s always a bit of added pressure when you go to a new club, the expectation, you’ve been bought for a lot of money and people just expect you to hit the ground running and start scoring and start winning but it’s not always the case. “There’s a lot of other stuff that goes into a transfer – like I’ve touched on already, just the personal stuff as well, trying to find houses, living in hotels, not having my family with me. “It’s all stuff I’m not used to. So to be able to have started the way I have, I’m really proud of. “Of course I always feel like I probably could have scored a few more goals, I’ve had quite a few chances. “But in general, if you’d have told me before the transfer this is what I’d be on, the amount of goals and assists and wins, I’d have taken that so definitely happy with that.” Read More Harry Kane dreaming of leading England to Euro 2028 glory on home soil Massimo Luongo feels Australians secretly support Spurs under Ange Postecoglou Tommy Fury ‘could beat KSI after 15 pints of beer’ as he eyes world title Jarrod Bowen ‘in a good place’ on England return Rob Page against Wales games moving to Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028 Man City boss Gareth Taylor says communication key to improving officiating

Australia midfielder Massimo Luongo feels everyone in his country is now a Tottenham supporter following the remarkable start Ange Postecoglou has made to life in England. Spurs lead the Premier League on goal difference from north London rivals Arsenal going into the international break and are unbeaten in the league since the former Socceroos boss took charge. He is the first Australian to be appointed in England’s top flight and has caused a sensation in his home country by transforming the club’s playing style in just a few months. Luongo, who after helping Ipswich to second place in the Championship has been recalled to the national team for the first time since 2019 for Friday’s meeting with England at Wembley and next week’s game against New Zealand, was an unused member of Postecoglou’s squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He has featured in every one of his club’s league fixtures this campaign as Kieran McKenna’s side have won nine of their first 11 games to install themselves as early favourites to land consecutive promotions. It follows a period in the international wilderness during which he endured difficult spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough, with injuries contributing to a lack of playing time and a “difficult time mentally”. His last call-up was in October 2019, but he has impressed enough at Portman Road to earn a recall from boss Graham Arnold. Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar under Arnold – their fifth consecutive finals – before being eliminated by eventual winners Argentina, their best performance at the tournament since 2006. And Luongo, who was long-listed for the Ballon d’Or in 2015 in part for his showing at the Socceroos’ victorious Asian Cup campaign, said that though there are comparisons to be made, the two coaches should be judged on their own merits. “They’re completely different, like most managers,” he said. “Ange has his ways, Arnie has his ways. (The 2014 World Cup) was definitely an enjoyable time. (Postecoglou) brought me from Swindon in League One and he gave me my chance. “What he’s doing now is incredible. Every Aussie is following him now, I think every Aussie is secretly a Tottenham supporter. It’s great to watch from afar. “Being in this country, I think he’s just a genuine person, you see that in his media interviews. He’s got so much passion for the game, he’s just hungry for success. And that’s what we have here (with Arnold).” Australia are ranked 27th in the world but were buoyed by their success in Qatar, knocking out Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark to progress from their group. They will be looking to replicate the result the last time they met England in London, running out 3-1 winners at West Ham’s Upton Park as Three Lions manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made 11 half-time substitutions. “England are one of the best in the world,” said Luongo. “But even at Ipswich we look at teams ahead of us who we want to replicate, (like) Man City, the best team in the world. “We’re alright, we’re doing well, we’re a good Australia team. People underestimate that. “No matter who you play I think Aussies have that DNA that you don’t just roll over and give up. That Argentina game (in Qatar), I watched it, if it goes on for another 30 minutes, we get an equaliser, easily an equaliser. It’s just the nature of football. When momentum is with you, you never know.” He added that there have been significant changes to the national team set-up since his last call-up. “(There are) a lot of young players,” he said. “The staff, there’s a lot more backing now. The set-up has (improved), there are no corners cut. Things you wouldn’t even think of are covered, more beds and physios, the food; everything. They’re trying to create an atmosphere that’s as top-level as you can get. “The expectation now is really high. The World Cup is a big evidence that we can beat top teams, especially European teams. “I think we’re definitely in a transition period of younger players coming through. At the moment you can’t really judge the team based on the first year of four years building up to a World Cup. “The manager’s got three more years to build a team and see where they get to. These games are a building process. I promise you the team now will look very different to the next World Cup team.” Read More Tommy Fury ‘could beat KSI after 15 pints of beer’ as he eyes world title Jarrod Bowen ‘in a good place’ on England return Rob Page against Wales games moving to Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028 Man City boss Gareth Taylor says communication key to improving officiating Dawid Malan thrilled to ‘keep silencing people’ with World Cup hundred FA chief Mark Bullingham: Critical the whole country feels involved in Euro 2028

Manager Rob Page says Wales should not move home games to the Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028. The UK and Ireland’s bid to host Euro 2028 was formally approved on Tuesday, with the 74,500-capacity home of Welsh rugby in Cardiff among the 10 venues to be used for the tournament. The idea of playing at the Principality Stadium – Wales have played there only once since 2011, a 4-1 friendly defeat to Spain in October 2018 – angers a large section of the Dragons’ fan base, who prefer that games are played at the 33,280-capacity Cardiff City Stadium. But Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, last month raised the possibility of the men’s national team playing there before Euro 2028 to allow players and supporters to get used to the venue should they qualify for the tournament. “Do I want it? No,” Page said of that suggestion ahead of Wales’ friendly with Gibraltar on Wednesday, which will be only the second time that the Dragons have played at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground since 2008. “The atmosphere and what we have created at Cardiff City Stadium is incredible. “I’ve been quite vocal about it in the last couple of weeks because, although we have a game in Wrexham, what we have created in Cardiff is incredible and has definitely played a part in helping us with our success in the last two years. “Promotion from B to A in the Nations League, qualification for the Euros and then the World Cup, our supporters in that stadium played a massive part.” The atmosphere and what we have created at Cardiff City Stadium is incredible Rob Page All five countries – England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland – are expected to go through qualification for Euro 2028, with UEFA understood to be reserving two host nation places for any of the teams which do not make it on merit. While the final and possibly both semi-finals could be at Wembley, the FAW is hoping to stage the opening match of the tournament and maybe as many as six games at the Principality Stadium. “It’s a grey area. I don’t think it’s going to be an automatic qualification for us,” Page said. “It’s massive for us as a country, nation, Cardiff as a capital. It’s a great achievement (to host Euro 2028). “Everyone should be proud of bringing the tournament to the city.” Page is expected to hand senior debuts to Charlie Savage, Luke Harris and Owen Beck in front of a sell-out 10,000 crowd against Gibraltar. The trio will then join up with their Wales Under-21 team-mates for Friday’s European Championship qualifier in the Czech Republic. Beck, the great-nephew of Liverpool and Wales striker Ian Rush, says he regularly receives advice from his famous relative. “When I got called up it was a dream come true, a surreal moment,” said Beck, the Liverpool full-back currently on loan at Scottish Premiership side Dundee. “All my family are coming. I’ve spoken to him (Rush) and if he gives me any advice, it’s from the best and really valuable to me. “I’m sure he’ll be here watching. He’s someone I look up to, to have a career like that at club and international level. He’s a great inspiration.” Savage, the son of former Wales midfielder Robbie, told the FAW website: “Growing up, if someone told me at the age of 20 that I’d be called up by my country, I’d have bitten your hand off. I’ve got to enjoy it whether I play or not. “I’m looking forward to Wednesday. My nan’s coming, she lives about a mile away from The Racecourse. To have all my family there from Wrexham, it will be an amazing night.” Gibraltar are 198th on the FIFA rankings table with only nine teams below them. Julio Cesar Ribas’ side are using the game as preparation for their Euro 2024 qualifier against Republic of Ireland on Monday. Read More Man City boss Gareth Taylor says communication key to improving officiating Dawid Malan thrilled to ‘keep silencing people’ with World Cup hundred FA chief Mark Bullingham: Critical the whole country feels involved in Euro 2028 Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports Catalans win in Grand Final would ‘make huge noise around the world’ – McNamara A closer look at the UK and Ireland’s host venues for Euro 2028

Jarrod Bowen feels like he has returned to the England set-up in the form of his life as the West Ham forward prepares fulfil a childhood dream of playing at Wembley. Having come through at Hereford and flourished at Hull, the 26-year-old is well on the way to club great status at the London Stadium. Bowen fired the Hammers to Europa Conference League glory in June’s unforgettable final against Fiorentina and has shone in the early stages of this season, scoring five in nine appearances. That form helped the forward to earn his first England call-up since September 2022, shortly before signing a new deal until 2030 at the London Stadium. “A really special week,” Bowen said. “Obviously got the call on Thursday before our European game so had that. Won that game out there, which was nice. “Then the new deal was sorted over the weekend, so a really special four days. “I’ve always wanted to be back so to get the opportunity to be selected again is something I’m really grateful for.” Bowen’s four England appearances to date came during the worst international camp of Gareth Southgate’s largely successful reign. The 26-year-old featured in all four Nations League matches in June 2022, starting the 1-0 away loss to Hungary and 4-0 Molineux mauling against the same opposition. Bowen remained in the squad that September but did not play, and his return did not come until this month’s double-header against Australia and Italy. “The way I started this season I’m probably playing the best football that I’ve played in my career,” Bowen said. “I’ve had those experiences of Europe. It’s a bit different to when I came (before). “I’m a dad now, so I’m in a different kind of place, you just feel a bit more mature. I feel in a really good place and to be back here, I’m really grateful for it.” Southgate has indicated Bowen will play in Friday’s Wembley friendly against Australia, allowing him to fulfil his ambition of stepping out under the arch. “That would be the ultimate,” he said. “I have got four caps and I am massively grateful for them but that Wembley one… “As a little boy you dream of playing for your country and you never think it is going to happen but now I am here I want to play at Wembley and hopefully I get the opportunity to do so.” Bowen got the nod in a highly competitive area of the squad, with 82-cap forward Raheem Sterling among those to miss out. Little wonder, then, that he is determined to make the most out this chance to earn a spot at next summer’s Euros, especially after the disappointment of watching the World Cup in Qatar from afar. Asked if missing out on the squad motivates him for Germany next summer, Bowen said: “Yeah, but I think you’ve also got to look at the squad that’s here as well. “Just being named in the squad was an honour for me. To play the games I played and to be named in another squad before the World Cup was, again, another honour. “I was disappointed to miss out but I had to deal with it and all I could do is keep playing football to a level that I know that I can play at and everything will take care of itself.” Read More Rob Page against Wales games moving to Principality Stadium ahead of Euro 2028 Man City boss Gareth Taylor says communication key to improving officiating Dawid Malan thrilled to ‘keep silencing people’ with World Cup hundred FA chief Mark Bullingham: Critical the whole country feels involved in Euro 2028 Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports Catalans win in Grand Final would ‘make huge noise around the world’ – McNamara

Manchester City boss Gareth Taylor wants improved communication between players and officials following Sunday’s controversial draw with Chelsea in which he felt the referee handed out bookings “like confetti”. City looked the brighter side and had taken a 1-0 lead via Chloe Kelly’s deflected seventh-minute strike, but late in the first half referee Emily Heaslip decided Alex Greenwood had been time-wasting after taking 26 seconds to take a free-kick and dismissed the bewildered captain with a second yellow. It was an encounter with potential title implications that ultimately saw 10 yellows issued, including a second to Lauren Hemp 15 minutes before Guro Reiten’s stoppage-time equaliser, with the decision against Greenwood in particular lambasted on social media and criticised by big names including Ian Wright and Beth Mead. Taylor, who himself was booked in the second half, said: “We submit a report which normally is fairly straightforward. “I think this one will be quite an interesting one, just in terms of some of the feedback I’ve had from the players as well, in terms of the communication back and forth from the officials. “Everyone makes mistakes. I think owning those mistakes at times is is much easier to handle, because we all do it, and I think it’s just a little bit easier if we get that communication between us, which is really important, so that we can create – not necessarily accountability – but we can create communication between us and go, we’re seeing it as this and you guys are seeing it slightly differently, who is right or wrong here? “It’s important we get the feedback. Let’s see what we hear back.” City, who also unsuccessfully appealed a three-match ban for Leila Ouahabi, sent off in their season opener, next travel to Everton on Wednesday to kick off their FA Cup campaign, a competition Taylor insisted “is not something to be sniffed at”. City are looking to qualify for Champions League football again after narrowly missing out with a fourth-place WSL finish last year, with success against top sides like Chelsea critical in the short 22-match season. The next thing you know, before you know it, they're handing them out like confetti Gareth Taylor While Taylor suggested Sunday’s decisions “went against us, it always seems to be against us and not Chelsea”, he conceded the first yellow of the game, shown to Blues forward Lauren James, was “harsh, and the next thing you know, before you know it, they’re handing them out like confetti”. He also brushed aside theories that his side were less disciplined than Hayes’, adding: “They always seem to talk around that their discipline is much higher, but I don’t think there was any ill discipline from us at all. “It was a real anomaly of the game and it forced us into a really, really difficult situation which the players coped with so well. “I’ve been so impressed with the players and the way they manage that. “To put four points on the board in both of those games, when you lose players, has been amazing.” Read More Dawid Malan thrilled to ‘keep silencing people’ with World Cup hundred FA chief Mark Bullingham: Critical the whole country feels involved in Euro 2028 Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports Catalans win in Grand Final would ‘make huge noise around the world’ – McNamara A closer look at the UK and Ireland’s host venues for Euro 2028 A closer look at the UK and Ireland’s host venues for Euro 2028

Bid leaders have promised Euro 2028 will be accessible and affordable after UEFA officially awarded the tournament to the UK and Ireland. The five-nation bid was formally approved on Tuesday, having gone into decision day unopposed following the withdrawal of Turkey. Politicians including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed the announcement, with the tournament set to bring £2.6billion in benefits to the host economies, according to analysts. Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham said it was vital that the tournament be open to as many people from the five nations as possible. Ten venues in nine cities were included in the final bid document submitted to UEFA in April – Wembley, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Etihad Stadium, Villa Park, Bramley-Moore Dock, St James’ Park, Hampden Park, the Aviva Stadium, a redeveloped Casement Park and the Principality Stadium. Along with fan-zone sites and training grounds in other locations, Bullingham said the task was to ensure no-one feels cut off from the action, regardless of location or financial means. It is critical that the whole country feels they are involved and we have that excitement throughout every part of the country Mark Bullingham “You’ve seen the selected stadia are spread throughout the whole of the country, so everyone has an event within touching distance,” he said in Nyon on Tuesday. “It is critical that the whole country feels they are involved and we have that excitement throughout every part of the country.” Bullingham confirmed all five countries would enter qualification, with UEFA having reserved two ‘safety net’ places for any that miss out. Tickets for Euro 2024 start at 30 euros (£26) and, asked about how important it was to ensure affordability, Bullingham said: “We will absolutely always do that. “We want the whole country to be engaged and experience being part of the Euros.” Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said hosting a major championship in the country was “pure gold” and revealed that the bid proposal was for Cardiff’s Principality Stadium to host the opening match, subject to UEFA approval. Mooney said: “Cardiff would be perfect for the opening match. Look, we could be greedy and say we’d love the final as well, but then you’re denying 15 to 20,000 people the chance to be at a final. “I think the way we’ve done the stadiums is very, very good. We’re hoping to get a quarter-final as well. “The association’s job is to grow the game, to promote the game, to get more boys and girls involved, that’s our job. To have a major championship come to our country for the first time is pure gold.” Mooney added that the proposal was for Wembley to host the semi-finals and final as things stood. Bullingham said the awarding of Euro 2028 to the UK and Ireland vindicated the decision by the five nations to turn away from the 2030 World Cup. The countries had originally scoped out the feasibility of hosting the 2030 finals, but switched focus in February 2022. At the time Bullingham had spoken of the “uncertainty” surrounding a bid for the global event. FIFA announced last week that a proposal for a three-continent, six-nation hosting of 2030 had been approved by its Council, opening the door for Saudi Arabia to likely stage the following tournament in 2034. Asked whether he felt that was evidence the UK and Irish FAs had gone down the correct path, Bullingham said: “We have never doubted we made the right decision. “We were choosing between two tournaments, one we felt we had a really good chance of winning, one we felt we at best would have been a real long shot to win. “We chose to go for 2028 and we are delighted we did. We think the announcement helps vindicate the decision and we think we will put on a brilliant tournament that will make a massive impact on all parts of the country on our facilities, on the economic impact on the country, on fans and the feel-good factor. “So we are delighted we have secured the tournament.” Sunak, who had been at England’s training base at St George’s Park on Tuesday, welcomed UEFA’s announcement, saying: “I grew up with Euro 96 being one of the most amazing memories of my childhood. “And we have a chance to do that all over again for lots more people, just like we did last year with the Lionesses. “We host tournaments better than anyone else. It’s going to be a massive boost for the economy. “We’re going to welcome millions of people to the country and it’s going to inspire a whole new generation.” Read More Wales say Dan Biggar is fit for World Cup quarter-final against Argentina Garry Cook vows to make Birmingham ‘a powerhouse’ amid Wayne Rooney reports Catalans win in Grand Final would ‘make huge noise around the world’ – McNamara A closer look at the UK and Ireland’s host venues for Euro 2028 A closer look at the UK and Ireland’s host venues for Euro 2028 James Ryan and Mack Hansen injury doubts for Ireland against New Zealand

It is only now, despite knowing for months, that those involved in the United Kingdom-Ireland Euro 2028 bid are excitedly talking about the reality of tournament football returning to these islands. There was a sense from inside the campaign of not wishing to tempt fate, given how previous bids have gone. That is despite the fact this has been a fait accompli for well over a year. And, even though this victory should be celebrated, it does provoke bigger questions over football politics, especially given the controversies over the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes and the reforms that followed them. Euro 2028 is one of potentially five consecutive European Championships and World Cups that will have had virtually no competition in the bidding processes. The 2028 bid has been won because Turkey finally withdrew. They were never likely to win due to their comparative lack of infrastructure, which is why they have joined up with Italy to bid for Euro 2032. That Mediterranean joint-bid is similarly the only candidate for 2032, after a prospective Russian campaign was ruled ineligible by Uefa due to the invasion of Ukraine. In echoes of the 2028 process, the Canada-Mexico-USA bid for the 2026 World Cup did face competition from Morocco, but the latter was seen as having no chance for the same reason as Turkey. The “United 2026” bid ended up getting more than twice as many votes as its African rival. That saw Morocco eventually join up with Spain-Portugal for 2030, in a move that was seen as “outmanoeuvring” the politically influential Saudi Arabian bid since it split the African vote. The Gulf kingdom was no longer confident of victory so didn’t want to go through defeat, withdrawing … temporarily. The only competitor at that point was the South American bid to celebrate the centenary of the inaugural Uruguay 1930 World Cup, which had an inspirationally romantic sway. They were instead co-opted into an unprecedented “global celebration” for 2030 by being allowed to host the first three games. Uruguay get the opening match as recognition of their status as 1930 host and champions Argentina get the second match as recognition of their performance as 1930 runners-up and major partner. Paraguay get the third match, doing very well out of being the base of the South American federation, Conmebol. While there is admittedly a similar romance to that solution, and it eliminates any politicking before such a symbolic tournament, it has one more questionable effect. Fifa’s continental rotation rules mean South America has given up the chance at 2034 – since no confederation can host competition fixtures in consecutive tournaments – for a mere three games. It’s quite the trade-off. As one involved figure said, “that’s football politics”. That only leaves countries from the Asian Football Confederation and Oceania Football Confederation eligible, and the former are already fully backing Saudi Arabia. Australia and New Zealand are, meanwhile, left scrambling to find at least three extra stadia that meet the 40,000 minimum capacity in time for the 31 October bid deadline. It already looks like the decision may well go to the member associations for mere ratification. That should pose much bigger questions for football governance since one of the crucial points after the farce of 2018-22 was to improve transparency. A key measure in this was supposed to be bringing the World Cup vote to the members. That may still happen by the letter of the rules, but the spirit of it all has felt somewhat different. If the post-2022 reforms were supposed to be about preventing backroom deals, what has happened here? “It’s clear it’s gone backwards in terms of democracy and bidding,” one centrally involved source said. Wider politics clearly plays an influential role here. After the game was split by the 2018 and 2022 votes, with the World Cup brought to effective autocracies, three successive tournaments are now going back to traditional Western European football powers. England is the biggest partner in 2028, enjoying its first full tournament since 1996. Spain is the biggest partner in 2030, enjoying its first full tournament since 1982. Italy is the biggest partner in 2032, set to enjoy its first full tournament since 1990. Bookending those three tournaments, then, are almost certain to be two of the true geopolitical powers. The USA is now seen by all of football as the priority market with the sport burgeoning there. Saudi Arabia has meanwhile targeted a huge expansion into the game as part of a wider political and economic project. The kingdom also enjoys an increasingly strong relationship with Fifa, and its investment funds were set to bankroll the original idea for the expanded Club World Cup. That plan has now settled into a 32-team event in 2025 in the USA, that Saudi Pro League clubs are targeting for a major statement as the next phase of their development. They want to help make it a competitor to the Champions League, increasing their own profile. The prize and participation money for that event have yet to be decided. There is obviously significant political intrigue to all of this, as well as a lot of accusations behind the scenes. Most of the major forces look to have got what they wanted without much pushback. Many sources talk of “horse trading” between the major nations. Others go so far as using words like “stitch-up”. Some smaller South American federations aren’t overly happy with the 2030 decision, especially with how having three automatic qualifiers – in the three host nations – immediately reduces the value of the highly lucrative qualification league, while denying the chance at a World Cup for 24 years. On the other side, some admit this situation may be better than random bids and huge amounts of money wasted on failed campaigns. A further importance to all of this is that, for all the power of the club game, the hosting of the World Cup is still seen as the most influential development in football. It usually dictates the game for a decade, if not longer. The latter could be seen in how USA 94 directly instigated huge American investment into football, as well as multiple ownerships that started with the Glazers. The decision to award 2022 to Qatar, then, was probably the most influential moment in modern football history. It directly caused regime change at Fifa and Uefa, changed the calendar, and was a factor in Qatar taking over Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabia buying Newcastle United. It has undeniably played a part in Saudi Arabia seeking to host a World Cup, too. The regional rivalry means Mohammed Bin Salman wants his own tournament, before you get to the wider benefits. That speaks to the profound political power of the World Cup, as football increases its pervasiveness as the most popular cultural pursuit the planet has ever seen. It all comes as the tournament itself becomes so big that fewer and fewer countries can actually stage it. That has influenced these bidding processes too. So much of this serves as a metaphor for the game as a whole. And, at the end of it all, there is still pure beauty in how people get to watch these great magical events near them. All of Dublin, Glasgow, Cardiff will be thrilled. That, of course, is precisely why all of this has a power beyond emotion. Read More Saudi Arabia bid for 2034 World Cup strengthened after Australia and New Zealand hit hurdle Gareth Southgate questions ‘integrity’ of 2030 World Cup format 2030 World Cup will be hosted by six countries across three continents, Fifa announces Euro 2028: Will host nations get automatic qualification? Cardiff, Glasgow, Dublin... The Euro 2028 final should be staged anywhere but Wembley UK and Ireland name 10 venues for Euro 2028

A controversial plan to admit Russian under-17 teams to Uefa competitions amid the invasion of Ukraine has been shelved. In late September, a motion passed by Uefa’s executive committee had asked the organisation’s administrators to look at a “technical solution” to enable the under-17 boys and girls teams to enter qualification for finals tournaments due to take place in Cyprus and Sweden next year. A number of associations, including the English Football Association, had announced their opposition to the plan, insisting that England teams would not line up against Russian opponents under any circumstances. The formal readmission of Russian teams had been on the agenda for the executive committee meeting on Tuesday which also decided on hosting for the men’s Euros in 2028 and 2032. Uefa’s plan was for matches to have to be played without the flag, anthem or kit of the Russian national team and not on Russian soil. Uefa had also stated their belief that “children should not be punished for actions whose responsibility lies exclusively with adults and is firmly convinced that football should never give up sending messages of peace and hope.” However, a Uefa spokesperson said: “The agenda point was withdrawn as no technical solution to allow Russian teams to play could be found.” The Fifa council had also approved the return of Russian teams to its competitions last week, but that decision is now effectively rendered redundant as the European competitions act as the qualification pathway to the global events. Fifa and Uefa originally banned all Russian national teams and clubs from their competitions in February last year within days of the Russians launching their invasion of Ukraine. St Petersburg was due to host the 2022 Champions League final, which was switched to Paris, and this summer’s Super Cup was moved from Kazan to Athens, while Uefa has announced that Warsaw will host the 2024 Super Cup. Additional reporting by PA Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary

You already know where the Euro 2028 final will be played. You don’t know know because it hasn’t been announced yet. But when I tell you that the UK and Ireland are hosting the tournament, and when I show you the list of 10 allocated venues, then you already know. Wembley is the biggest stadium in the best-connected city of the largest host nation. It is the greatest revenue generator. It is the sort of stadium that assumes it will host a final, the sort that thinks other venues wouldn’t want all that pressure and attention anyway. The English FA will pull rank here and that is understandable, to an extent. After all, Wembley can call upon history and experience, the site having hosted three European Championship finals before: one at the old Wembley in 1996, and both the men’s and women’s finals at the new Wembley in 2021 and 2022. But the last men’s final – and this is a crucial detail – ended in literal invasion. The report on what happened that July day is harrowing, describing a horde of 6,000 mindless thugs rampaging through security lines and terrifying ordinary ticket holders. On their way they beat police officers, knocked over a young girl and trampled over a man sending him into seizure. One insurgent hijacked a boy in a wheelchair, separating him from his father, so he could gain access pretending to be a steward. Italians were subjected to random attacks, and the report makes clear that there probably would have been deaths had it not been for England’s defeat and a late downpour of rain which combined to dampen the atmosphere. It should be said here that the report did not lay blame at Wembley’s steps, specifically; rather it was a perfect storm of lockdown energy, summer heat, sporting tribalism, nationalist sentiment, drugs, alcohol, the internet and a unique gathering of goons gripped by herd mentality. But if ever there was a red flag for hosting a European Championship final, hosting a disastrous European Championship final might be it. It feels like an almost dangerously radical thought, but what if the Euro 2028 final wasn’t held at Wembley Stadium? Wembley hardly showcases the best of these isles. The immediate area has the personality of an airport terminal, and while the stadium was once a state-of-the-art bowl, it is not even the best in London these days given what Tottenham have built. Admittedly, the options are limited. Anfield’s pitch is too small for Uefa’s liking, Old Trafford too decrepit to be used. Everton’s unbuilt stadium made the final list along with Birmingham’s Villa Park, Manchester’s Etihad Stadium and St James’ Park in Newcastle, and the Etihad would be the most obvious of those to host a showpiece event. Then there are the four stadiums beyond England. The redevelopment of Belfast’s Casement Park is still just a saved file on an architect’s hard drive, and it would only be around 34,000 capacity. But the others are viable alternatives to host a final. Hampden Park is a tired venue but there are plans for much-needed regeneration ahead of Euro 2028. Glasgow is a city that gets its edge and its energy from football, and it knows how to throw a party. As does Dublin, and its Aviva Stadium has hosted everything from the Europa League final and international rugby games to Taylor Swift concerts. Personally, I would choose the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Wales enjoyed a rekindled love affair with football during the Bale era, ignited by their run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Football has overtaken rugby as the country’s most popular sport and the Wrexham story is adding momentum. It is the next biggest option after Wembley with 74,000 seats, and the stadium sits near the heart of the city only a short walk from Chippy Lane, one of the great cultural institutions of this country. Tournament mission statements are always lukewarm sentiments and Euro 2028 is no exception, but if organisers really want to “engage new fans”, then staging the final in Wales would fit that brief. All this is likely wasted breath. The early signs are that Cardiff may stage the opening game but Wembley will host the final and both semi-finals, too. The English FA says it has learnt lessons from the past, and Uefa recently dismissed concerns when its president Aleksander Ceferin said that those violent scenes “could have happened anywhere”. Uefa lost £700m in revenues during the pandemic and needs a sure thing like Euro 2028 to guarantee a profitable tournament. Wembley is a significant part of that appeal. It is the biggest stadium, in the biggest city. But it is also the scene of unbridled anarchy only two years ago, and perhaps that is as good an excuse as any to spread the wealth. Read More FA reveal tournament plans after UK and Ireland confirmed as Euro 2028 hosts Euro 2028 venues: UK and Ireland name 10 stadiums as Anfield and Old Trafford miss out Euro 2028: Will host nations get automatic qualification? UK and Ireland name 10 venues for Euro 2028 FA reveal tournment plans after UK and Ireland confirmed as Euro 2028 hosts