UEFA end Páirc Uí Chaoimh hopes of hosting Euro 2028 games

HOPES DASHED: Uefa have quashed any hope of Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosting the Euro 2028 games. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Uefa have quashed any hope of Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosting the Euro 2028 games which Casement Park lost due to redevelopment delays.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin revealed in September that the Government has approached the FAI – who are already staging six games at Aviva Stadium as part of the joint UK and Ireland hosting – about pitching for overspill.

However, FAI chief executive David Courell has confirmed Uefa intend to absorb the five matches that were originally earmarked for the derelict west-Belfast GAA Ground.

“Uefa have taken the decision that they’re going to deliver the Euros with a nine venue solution,” said Courell, upgraded to permanent CEO last month following a five-month temporary stint in succession to Jonathan Hill.

“I’d just make the point that the FAI were very supportive of a tenth venue being stood up in the Republic of Ireland.

“The Irish Government have been hugely supportive, not only to us, but to attract as much of this tournament as possible to these shores.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t a decision for us. We made those representations but UEFA have decided on a nine venue solution.”

Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne in September admitted he’d spoken with the FAI about alternative venues in Ireland once Casement perished as a possibility.

"We want to keep as many games on the island as possible. Croke Park has always been in the mix but UEFA decided not to have it," said Mr Byrne.

"I am conscious that there are other football associations involved in this and these discussions are ongoing. 

"There is a lot of work done already by Uefa but I think it is important that we really fight tooth and nail to keep as many games as possible on the island."

The FAI remain confident of adding another match to their portfolio.

Courell added: “The Republic of Ireland is fighting to get as many as we possibly can.

"There are limitations on what we can host in the Aviva, not because it’s not an amazing facility, but we’re already hosting four group games, one last-16 and one quarter-final.

“The schedule needs to permit adequate rest days for the pitch through the intervening period, plus the machinations of each group.

“We’ve expressed an interest to host a further two games but I think that is probably a stretch.”

However, it is looking increasingly likely that Ireland will be guaranteed one of the hosting tickets at the 24-team tournament.

It’s believed two berths will be held back for any of the host nations – England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland – don’t qualify on the pitch.

“We’re obviously disappointed that Northern Ireland will not feature as a host nation,” he said about the Casement setback ruling out one of the parties, the Irish Football Association.

“I have mentioned before that we look forward to continuing to involve them in the tournament and we are working with Uefa and the other host nations to see how that looks.

“What does that mean for automatic qualification? We are having conversations with UEFA but the working assumption is all of us will go through qualification and if we are unsuccessful in qualifying on merit, then there will be automatic slots in reserve but that has yet to be ratified by UEFA.

“I won’t go into the details of it, but what I will say is that we are very confident that we will feature in Euro 2028, one way on merit because I am happy with the trajectory we are on and we have a brilliant crop of players and have a great coaching team that I think is evolving our approach and style and hopefully, we will see that pay dividends over the coming years.”