UEFA have reportedly decided to shelve plans to expand the European Championship from 24 to 32 teams for EURO 2028.
Italy are the reigning champions of Europe after winning EURO 2020 – played in the summer of 2021 – at Wembley Stadium, beating England on penalties in the Final.
They will try to defend that title at the EURO 2028 tournament, which has still not been assigned to a host nation yet.
According to Times Sport, UEFA are ready to drop their previously announced plans to increase the number of qualifying nations from 24 to 32 teams.
Money money money.
It’s not as simple as ‘money, money, money’. Part of the motivation is to enable smaller’ nations to participate. It wouldn’t necessarily raise the level of the spectacle – except for the fans of the ‘smaller’ nations of course. Some members of UEFA never get to play in the finals – so expanding the the tournament opens access. When the competition was expanded to 24 teams then nations like Wales and Denmark stood a chance of qualifying. And they have certainly added to recent tournaments.
Eh? Euro 2028? Have they cancelled the 2024 edition?
Bit harsh or previous winners Denmark @Feroli