Italian government backs bid to host Euro 2032

Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs Andrea Abodi has signed a letter of support for the FIGC’s bid to host Euro 2032.

Calciomercato.com details how Abodi signed a letter addressed to UEFA confirming that the prestigious European football event is considered an event of public interest and national relevance in the Italian peninsula and that the government backs the FIGC’s bid to host the tournament in 2032. 

The Italian government will provide full support to the FIGC and has already declared it’s willingness to facilitate the implementation of written guarantees from national and local authorities, as well as creating a working group to coordinate activities at a national level. 

Abodi’s letter will be attached to the dossier that the FIGC will send to UEFA to confirm their desire to host the tournament later this month. By March of next year, a complete document must be presented ahead of the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in September 2023. Italy are seemingly competing with Turkey for the rights to host the tournament in 2032.

Abodi discussed his decision to sign the letter of support, backing the Euro 2032 bid.

“The sustainable and lasting development of Italy’s sports infrastructure is one of the priorities of the government’s agenda in the sports sector. 

“Italy’s candidacy for Euro 2032 represents a fundamental factor in accelerating this growth process, starting precisely from the stadium segment, considering the sporting, social and economic role of football, but guaranteeing equal attention to the facilities of all sports disciplines. 

“We will provide the necessary support to the FIGC and to the municipal administrations of the cities that will be included in the candidature dossier, on the assumption that we will be able to assess in advance the positive legacy that Euro 2032 will be able to leave in the territories involved, also in favour of the competitiveness of Italian football.”

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina was clearly overjoyed to receive the Italian government’s support.

“This is great news for Italy. The organisation of Euro 2032 represents a unique opportunity in terms of involvement and economic impact and will also be an extraordinary accelerator for the renovation of top-level sports facilities, but not only. 

“I would like to thank Minister Abodi, with whom we collaborate with great satisfaction, and the entire government, which has confirmed how strategic this project is for the development of the country as a whole. 

“We are working tirelessly to present a winning bid that is sustainable, has great international appeal, and is deeply rooted in the territory for legacy and development opportunities.”