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      England squad announced with Sterling OUT of Euro 2024 qualifiers but first call-up for star and return for one-cap ace

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      RAHEEM STERLING has failed to make the cut for England’s upcoming Euro qualifiers.But there’s joy for Eberechi Eze, with the Crystal Palace star in line to make his Three Lions debut.
      Raheem Sterling has been left out of England’s latest squadCredit: Getty
      England’s latest squad announcement in full
      Elsewhere, Lewis Dunk is back in the squad for the first time since 2018 as he seeks to win a second cap.
      And there are also recalls for Callum Wilson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tyrone Mings.
      Meanwhile, Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope misses out after undergoing surgery on his hand.
      And there’s no call-up for Arsenal’s Ben White after he quit England’s World Cup squad.
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      But it’s Sterling’s exclusion which has caught the eye of England fans.
      He has endured a dismal season in London after joining Chelsea from Man City last summer.
      The forward, who has 82 caps, was tipped to be left out by Gareth Southgate this afternoon.
      And it has now been confirmed he will play no part in the games against Malta and North Macedonia.
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      Sterling’s spokesperson said: “Following a private conversation between coach and player, a mutual decision has been made for Raheem Sterling to sit out the upcoming internationals, focused instead on recuperating his body in preparation for the upcoming season.”
      England boss Southgate said: “I spoke with him a week or so ago. A general catch-up. He is not happy physically and has been carrying a hamstring problem.
      “He was not in consideration so we did not get to the point whether he should be in or out. He does not think he is operating at the level he needs so that was the conversation.”
      Sterling’s absence has paved the way for Eze to win his first call-up.
      The 24-year-old has 10 goals and four assists for Crystal Palace this term.
      And his form sparked their resurgence under Roy Hodgson, swiftly sealing their Premier League safety after Patrick Vieira’s sacking.
      Southgate added: “We have liked him for a long time. He was very unfortunate that before the Euros, we were going to call him into a prep camp and he got an injury the day before.
      Lewis Dunk is back in the squad after a stunning season for BrightonCredit: Getty
      Eberechi Eze is in line to win his first capCredit: Alamy
      “I spoke to Roy Hodgson and he said he had just got injured. He has finished the season really strongly and he can play in a couple of positions across the attacking line.
      “He is a goal threat, has nice ability and a burst of speed to take people out of the game with his dribbling skills. We are looking forward to seeing him closer and everyone I know talks about him brilliantly as a person.”
      Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford are deemed fit enough to make the cut.
      There’s room again for Newcastle striker Wilson following Ivan Toney’s eight-month betting ban.
      And Brighton captain Dunk has won his spot in the squad at the expense of AC Milan’s Champions League semi-finalist Fikayo Tomori.
      Southgate declared: “He has shown great composure with the ball and often has to defend in one versus one situations and deserves his call.”
      Fellow centre-back Mings is also involved again for the first time in 14 months after an upturn in form at Aston Villa.
      Tyrone Mings is back in the squad after 14 monthsCredit: Getty
      There’s also room for Trent Alexander-ArnoldCredit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold is another recall, with Chelsea’s Reece James injured.
      Southgate explained: “He is a super football and is obviously playing in a slightly different role which has reinvigorated him.
      “He has always been in more advanced areas and is more central now and it is interesting for us and it is something I have talked with him over the last couple of weeks.”
      And Palace No2 Sam Johnstone has been picked following Pope’s new setback.
      However, there are some notable absentees from the squad.
      Arsenal defender White was tipped for a reprieve after leaving the World Cup side for “personal reasons.”
      Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, recently hailed as the “signing of the season” by Jamie Carragher, misses out.
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      And there’s no room for Levi Colwill, who has shined on loan at Brighton from Chelsea.
      Brentford’s Rico Henry was also hoping to be selected following Ben Chilwell’s injury, as was in-form Villa striker Ollie Watkins. More

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      Wales to hold EFL training camp next week ahead of crunch Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey in June

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      WALES are holding a four-day training camp next week ahead of their Euro 2024 double-header in June.Boss Robert Page will assemble 13 EFL players including the likes of Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas and Oli Cooper of Swansea for the Cardiff get-together which starts next Monday.
      Robert Page will begin preparations for June’s Euro 2024 qualifying double-header in Cardiff next weekCredit: AFP
      Sorba Thomas, who has been on loan at Blackburn from Huddersfield, is linking up with the Wales squad on MondayCredit: PA
      The Dragons face Armenia in a crunch Group D qualifier in the Welsh capital on June 16 followed by an away trip to Turkey three days later.
      Page wants to keep his squad plying their trade in the Football League ticking over now the domestic season has finished so they are ready to hit the ground running next month.
      Wales captain Aaron Ramsey is still in club action with Nice until June 3.
      Page’s Premier League stars such as Brennan Johnson of Nottingham Forest and Tottenham’s Ben Davies are also on league duty until Sunday, May 28.
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      That means they will not travel to the Dragons’ Vale HQ on the outskirts of Cardiff for the camp.
      Luton hero Tom Lockyer will also be unavailable due to his involvement in the Championship play-off final against Coventry on May 27 at Wembley.
      Wales opened their bid to reach the Germany finals with a 1-1 draw in Croatia and a 1-0 home win over Latvia back in March.
      And there will be another friendly face around the camp too.
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      Former Dragons defender Chris Gunter will work alongside boss Robert Page as a national team development coach.
      Gunter linked up with the Welsh coaching staff in a short-term role for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia in March.
      But the 109-cap full-back will return in an official part-time capacity to support the next generation, starting with the June fixtures. More

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      Inside potential UK Euro 2028 stadium left derelict and covered in weeds with four months until host announced

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      THIS stadium is set to host Euro 2028 if the UK and Ireland get the nod from Uefa.But with the final decision on who will host the tournament set for September, the arena is currently derelict.
      This potential Euro 2028 stadium is currently derelictCredit: Pacemaker
      There are plans to turn it into a 34,500 seater stadium to host games at Euro 2028Credit: Pacemaker Press
      Work is yet to begin on redeveloping the site just over five years out from the start of the tournament.
      When complete it will be able to hold 34,500 fans.
      Windsor Park, where Northern Ireland currently play home games, does not meet minimum capacity requirements for the Euros.
      So the unbuilt Casement Park is part of the UK and Ireland’s joint bid.
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      It has been unused since 2013, but was once Northern Ireland’s top Gaelic football ground.
      According to the BBC, redevelopment of the site has been met with a legal challenge from local residents.
      It’s reported there were objections to its size and the impact it will have on the local area.
      However, the £77.5million development was given the go ahead last summer after a West Belfast residents’ group lost its legal challenge.
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      The redevelopment of Casement Park has been met with a legal challengeCredit: Sportsfile
      Plans to redevelop the stadium were given the green light last summerCredit: Sportsfile
      And the ground has been designed by the architects responsible for Tottenham’s incredible £1billion stadium.
      Casement Park is one of two grounds in the UK and Ireland’s bid that are currently unbuilt.

      The other is Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock, which is due to be completed by 2024.
      That is the same year work on all potential Euro 2028 host stadiums must have started by.
      The UK and Ireland’s bid to host the iconic tournament is being rivalled by Turkey.
      If successful, the likes of Wembley, St. James’ Park, Villa Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Etihad will be among ten grounds to stage games during the competition.
      The ten grounds that will be venues for Euro 2028… if the UK and Ireland’s bid is successful More

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      Harry Maguire ‘fearful he may have to QUIT Man Utd to save Euro 2024 dream’ but has plenty of transfer offers

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      HARRY MAGUIRE fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
      Harry Maguire could be on his way out of Manchester United this summerCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
      Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
      And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
      Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snubbed by Gareth Southgate at next year’s major tournament.
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      Maguire – who was named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament – did go to the World Cup in Qatar and started all five Three Lions matches.
      And he played in both of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine last month.
      But Southgate has repeatedly reiterated he will pick players who are performing for their clubs – and the reality is Maguire has not been doing that.
      United are not actively trying to sell Maguire, who has two years left on his £190,000-a-week contract.
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      But this summer could be an ideal time to cut their losses and let him leave, especially taking into account Premier League financial rules.
      As revealed by SunSport, Paris Saint-Germain are a shock interested party for a £50m switch.
      The French giants put a deal on the table in January but it could not be completed in time.
      Aston Villa, West Ham, Roma and Inter Milan have all been linked with Maguire in recent months, too.
      A return to the King Power on loan could even be on the cards, although the Foxes need to avoid relegation to have any chance of bringing him back.
      Gareth Southgate will want his stars to be playing regularly ahead of the EurosCredit: Getty More

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      Ian Mitchell rejoins Wales as head of performance psychology after five years with Gareth Southgate’s England

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      DR IAN MITCHELL has returned to Wales as head of performance psychology.SunSport exclusively revealed last month that Mitchell has left the same post at the Football Association.
      Swansea caretaker boss Alan Curtis (right) talks tactics with Ian Mitchell
      Robert Page has freshened up his backroom staff in the post-Gareth Bale Wales eraCredit: Rex
      And Mitchell, part of Gareth Southgate’s backroom staff for five years, rejoins Wales where he will work with boss Robert Page.
      Wales have not had a psychologist since Mitchell left for the FA in February 2018 after becoming a key figure in Chris Coleman’s set-up which included the memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
      Page stated in January he wanted a psychologist on board to provide an extra edge in the post-Gareth Bale era and Mitchell has now been appointed.
      Page said: “We are delighted to announce Dr Ian Mitchell as our Head of Performance Psychology, the appointment reflects the ambition of the FAW to ensure we provide the highest possible standards to support our Cymru National Teams’ future success. 
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      “Ian has extensive experience of working with elite footballers initially fulfilling this role following an extensive period of work as a recognised academic in the field of psychology and I look forward to working with him.”
      Highly-rated Mitchell, who has also worked at Swansea when the Welsh side were in the Premier League, was popular among Football Association of Wales staff during his first stint.
      He will begin work immediately ahead of the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 and away to Turkey three days later.
      Mitchell said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to return to the FAW having been involved previously.
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      “2016 was incredible, it was a special group of players and staff with a strong environment both on and off the pitch in terms of a high performing culture.
      “It’s an experience I hope to have again with the current regime. 
      “Wales is such a unique country with a great culture and a real sense of belonging and identity, I can’t wait to get started again.” More

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      I’ll never forget the summer of 1996 – the country buzzed about the Euros and we need that back

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      LIKE most Sun readers, I will never forget the summer of 1996. The whole country was buzzing because of the Euros.As a teenager, I soaked up almost every second of the tournament, convinced that it would be England’s moment of glory.
      PM Rishi Sunak is backing a historic joint bid by the UK and Ireland to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028Credit: Dan Charity / The Sun
      England captain Harry Kane is joining with sides to back the bid to hold the prestigious tournament in the UK and IrelandCredit: Getty
      Scotland’s Andy Robertson is also behind the push to secure the tournament on home soilCredit: Rex
      Steven Davis, Northern Ireland captainCredit: Sportsfile
       It gave me a love of the game — its highs and lows — that I still have to this day, especially as a long-suffering Southampton fan.
      As a country, our passion for football is unparalleled. It is known the world over.
      From the Premier League to Sunday league, the game brings us together.
      Our stadia aren’t just ­sporting venues where the best players in the world want to play and fans ­everywhere dream of visiting, they are part of who we are — cultural icons at the heart of our communities, monuments to the game we love.
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      Again and again in recent years, those stadia have hosted some of the biggest games in world football.
       We have hosted Champions League finals, Euro 2020 matches — including almost all of England’s epic run  to the final — and the record-breaking 2022 Women’s Euros.
      We have got world-class sporting infrastructure and a  brilliant track record.
      So it would be fantastic to bring a full, international men’s tournament back to these shores.
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       That’s why today the UK and Ireland are launching a historic joint bid to host the Uefa European Championships in 2028.
      By bringing the whole of the UK together, along with Ireland, we will showcase our shared love of the beautiful game.
      It will be the most ambitious sporting event our islands have jointly staged — five Football Associations with Uefa united in delivering one of the best tournaments Europe has ever seen.
       The captains of each of the host nations — Harry Kane, Séamus Coleman, Steven Davis, Andy Robertson and Aaron Ramsey — may be rivals on the pitch, but they are all on the same side in cheering on this effort.
      Imagine it — the best teams in Europe battling it out at the Etihad in Manchester, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Principality in Cardiff, Casement Park in Belfast, the Aviva in Dublin, and of course, Wembley Stadium.
      Not to mention Villa Park, St James’ Park, Everton’s new ­Stadium and the Tottenham ­Hotspur Stadium.
      And imagine, just for a second, our boys following in the Lionesses’ footsteps and lifting that trophy five years from now. What a summer that would be.
      All about the future
      This year marks the 160th anniversary of the laws of the game — 160 years since they were first adopted and ­published, here in the UK.
       We are rightly proud of that unique legacy. There is so much to celebrate and savour — from Jackie Milburn to Jack Charlton, from 1966 to Euro ’96.
      Aaron Ramsey is on the same side as his rival in cheering on this effortCredit: Getty
      The Republic of Ireland’s Séamus Coleman is hoping to bring the tournament to the UK and IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
       But this tournament will be all about the future.
       On a rainy day last month we held a kickabout at No 10 with the Lionesses. As Beth Mead, Jill Scott and Ellen White showed a group of excited school kids their skills and rattled some of the historic furnishings, you could see the inspirational impact of their Euro triumph last summer.
      So Euro 2028 is about inspiring even more boys and girls not just to cheer on their team but to lace up their boots and get out there themselves.
      It’s about supporting the game at the local level and lifting up our communities — together the bid partners have already committed more than £500million to improve grassroots football.
      It’s about delivering new investment to upgrade facilities — including the regeneration of Casement Park in Northern Ireland.
       It’s about harnessing the power of the tournament to drive long-term benefits through volunteering, tourism and new business opportunities.
       It’s about pubs, front rooms and fan parks filling up across these islands — friends and family coming together, in victory or defeat.
      We estimate the bid could generate benefits of up to £2.6billion for our nations.
       It’s the ultimate win-win — a festival of football to cheer the nation and benefit us all.
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      Let’s bring people from across Europe and beyond to our host cities, to see the best football on the best stage anyone can offer.
      Let’s create new memories for a new generation. Let’s back our bid. More

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      England NOT guaranteed automatic qualification for Euro 2028 as mystery surrounds host nations’ spots at tournament

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      ENGLAND will NOT be automatic qualifiers even if they are one of the host nations for the 2028 European Championship.The UK and Ireland announced their joint list of stadiums for the Euro 2028 tournament on Wednesday.
      Gareth Southgate’s England would not qualify automatically for Euro 2028 even as a host nationCredit: Alamy
      On deadline day for applications to host the football tournament, the government give the green light for it to go ahead.
      Turkey are the rivals to host the iconic competition with the final decision to be made in September.
      The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland have met to thrash out the finer details.
      And the lucky ten venues have been chosen under the banner “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.”
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      However, not all of the UK’s host nation countries will be guaranteed to be playing at the tournament due to a Uefa ruling.
      The governing body states that in the case of more than two joint host associations, the automatic qualification of all the host teams cannot be guaranteed.
      Therefore, it will be subject to a decision to be made in conjunction with decisions concerning the qualifying competition.
      That means that the Three Lions and their fellow UK and Irish counterparts now face an anxious wait to discover their fate.
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      Meanwhile, big stadiums to miss out on the hosting bid are Manchester United’s Old Trafford, West Ham’s London Stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield.
      But England’s capital city has two hosting venues – Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (capacity of 53,400), Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305), and Everton’s not-yet-built Bramley-Moore Dock stadium (52,888) are the country’s northern choices.
      Aston Villa’s Villa Park is doing the Midlands proud and can house 42,640 fans.
      Wales will have the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium, Scotland the iconic Hampden Park that can cater for 51,866 people.
      Over the water, Belfast’s Casement Park is selected for Northern Ireland, while the 51,700-capacity Aviva Dublin is the venue for the Republic of Ireland.
      Since the announcement, fans have been speculating on what England’s team could be at Euro 2028.
      And they are expecting the national side to look very different from Gareth Southgate’s current crop of Three Lions. More

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      UK and Ireland launch Euro 2028 bid and confirm 10 stadiums with shock venues missing out

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      THE UK and Ireland has submitted its final list of ten stadiums to host Euro 2028 – with some shock omissions.The deadline for applications to host the football tournament is today, with the government already giving the green light for it to go ahead.

      Wembley Stadium was always a shoo-in to host games at Euro 2028 and will likely ge the finalCredit: Getty
      Considering the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium cost £1BILLION to build, it had to be selectedCredit: Rex
      Manchester City’s Etihad was selected over Old TraffordCredit: Alamy
      Turkey are the rivals to host the iconic competition with the final decision to be made in September.
      The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland have met to thrash out the finer details.
      And the lucky ten venues have been chosen under the banner “Football for all. Football for good. Football for the future.”
      Big stadiums to miss out are Manchester United’s Old Trafford, West Ham’s London Stadium and Liverpool’s Anfield.
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      United legend Gary Neville has slammed the owners the Glazers for letting Old Trafford ‘rust’ and says it need £1BILLION in renovations.
      After meeting the FA, United execs pulled the plug on their bid to be a host stadium, despite them having the highest-capacity after Wembley in England.

      Meanwhile, SunSport revealed earlier this year that Anfield’s pitch is too SMALL to meet Uefa guidelines and cannot be extended.
      England’s capital city London has two hosting venues – Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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      St James’ Park will guarantee a cracking atmosphere in Euros gamesCredit: PA
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      Wembley, the national stadium, has a whopping 90,000 capacity to dwarf the other stadia on the list.
      It hosted final heartbreak for England at Euro 2020 when Gareth Southgate’s boys were defeated by Italy on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
      There were ugly scenes before the game too when fans without tickets piled into the national stadium.
      This led to England receiving a two-match stadium ban.
      Fortunately that seems to have been forgiven by Uefa chiefs.
      Considering Spurs spent £1BILLION on their 62,850-capacity offering, their inclusion could be expected.
      Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (capacity of 53,400), Newcastle’s St James’ Park (52,305), and Everton’s not-yet-built Bramley-Moore Dock stadium (52,888) are the country’s northern choices.
      Everton’s new £600m stadium has yet to be built but has been selectedCredit: PA
      Aston Villa’s famous old Villa Park stadium has made the cutCredit: Getty
      Aston Villa’s Villa Park is doing the Midlands proud and can house 42,640 fans.
      Wales will have the 74,500-capacity Principality Stadium, Scotland the iconic Hampden Park that can cater for 51,866 people.
      Over the water, Belfast’s Casement Park is selected for Northern Ireland, while the 51,700-capacity Aviva Dublin is the venue for the Republic of Ireland.
      The Casement will undergo a huge renovation and feature a bowl-like design to host around 35,000 fans.
      And to comply with Uefa rules, the stadia will have to lose their sponsored names – so the Etihad will be renamed ‘The City of Manchester Stadium’, for example.
      A statement from the Home Nations bid group read: “The UK and Ireland share a proud reputation as world-leading event destinations which have successfully staged some of the biggest global sporting tournaments – backed by strong government support.
      “This includes the recent record-breaking Uefa Women’s Euro 2022.
      “We are delighted that our government partners are fully committed to hosting Uefa Euro 2028.
      “They have signed the relevant tournament guarantees and will ensure the event is fully supported.
      “This will create a welcoming, exciting and safe football experience that players and fans will enjoy in every city and every game.”
      It has also been confirmed that THREE MILLION tickets will be available for the tournament – the highest total ever for the Euros.
      The bid has been backed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf and Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford, who said it would be the “biggest sporting event our islands have ever jointly staged”.
      Sunak added “Football has a habit of creating special memories and in 2028 we want to create new memories for a new generation – across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
      “Our bid promises not only world-class stadia, excellent transport links and the world’s best fans but also the opportunity to build a lasting grassroots legacy.
      “Euro 2028 would be an incredible showcase of all that the UK & Ireland have to offer and another landmark moment in our proud sporting history. I am immensely proud to be backing the bid.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Dublin’s Croke Park were the other locations to miss out.
      And there could be some raised eyebrows that Arsenal’s Emirates was not one to be considered either.
      The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will host games in the Republic of IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
      Hampden Park will once again do Scotland proudCredit: Getty
      Northern Ireland has made sure to get in on the action with the Casement Park – though like Everton it too will undergo huge redevelopmentCredit: Pacemaker Press
      The Principality Stadium in Cardiff is as majestic as they comeCredit: Getty More