England learn Euro 2028 schedule in full as dates and venues for home tournament revealed

The home nations have learned their respective schedules for Euro 2028.

The Championships will take place in the British Isles in three years’ time, returning for the first time since the Three Lions were defeated in the Euro 2020 final by Italy in 2021.

The competition will include 24 teams, and it will be played across nine stadia in England, Wales, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland were ruled out as a host nation after Casement Park, the Gaelic football stadium, did not receive the necessary funding from the UK government to refurbish the ground in time for the tournament.

The caveat this time is that all of the host nations will have to qualify for their own tournament, despite hosting the event.

There is a workaround, however, that the two best-ranked host countries that do not make it through qualifying will be entered automatically.

Hence, should two of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland qualify, the two remaining host nations would also get automatic entry into the tournament.

The Euro 2028 final will be played at Wembley Stadium, giving England a third bite of the cherry on home soil after the disappointment at Euro 1996 and in 2021.

Gareth Southgate’s side were also beaten in the latest rendition, 2-1 by Spain in Germany.

The four host nations – should they all qualify – will be guaranteed to play group games in front of their own supporters.

That could mean that Wales open the tournament at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on June 9.

As for England, should they qualify, they will open their campaign at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, with two further group games at Wembley.

If they progress as group winners, a last-16 tie would be on the cards at St James’ Park in Newcastle, with the last-eight and last-four matches back under the Wembley arch.