England DENIED automatic qualification to Euro 2028 despite hosting after shock rule change.. but will have safety net

ENGLAND and the other host nations will have to earn their place at Euro 2028 despite the tournament being played in the British Isles.

But Uefa have confirmed a backdoor route for any of the four countries that does not make it by right.

As expected - with the FA keen for the Three Lions to play competitive games ahead of the tournament rather than a year of friendlies - Uefa’s ruling executive committee has now confirmed the qualifying structure.

At a meeting in Bilbao, Uefa agreed that TWO spaces will be made available for the host nations who do not qualify by right when the campaign begins in March 2027.

Northern Ireland’s failure to provide a suitable stadium after the collapse of the plans to play matches at Casement Park means games will now be played in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, although the Belfast-based side can still qualify.

As in Europe’s World Cup qualifying schedule, which continues next month, there will be 12 groups, consisting of either four or five teams, with the four co-hosts also taking part.

The 12 group winners and the best eight runners-up - with points earned against the teams placed first, third and fourth taken into account - will automatically qualify for the 24-team tournament.

Two further places will be available from a play-off system involving the other four runners-up and the best-ranked non-qualifiers from the Nations League campaign starting in September 2026, involving between eight and 12 teams.

And that leaves two final places for the two best co-hosts who did not qualify through their group finish, although they will not be eligible for the play-offs.

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The draw for the qualifying stage will take place in December 2026, at the conclusion of the Nations League.

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will host the opening game on June 9 2028, with both semis and the July 9 Final played at Wembley.

Other English venues will be the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Everton’s new home at Bramley Moore Dock, the Etihad, Villa Park and St James’ Park.

Hampden Park and Dublin’s Aviva Stadium provide the Scottish and Irish venues.