Northern Ireland lose Euro 2028 host slot after government shelves Casement Park refurb

November 27 – Northern Ireland will no longer be classed as a host nation for the Euro 2028 finals and will miss out on a back-door route to qualify automatically, according to their neighbours, the Football Association of Ireland.

UEFA have yet to formally outline the qualification procedure for the tournament held in the UK and Republic of Ireland but all co-hosts are set compete in the group stages of qualification with at least two spots crucially left in reserve for England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland if they do not qualify on merit.

But not Northern Ireland, according to FAI CEO David Courell who says the country would not be a part of any potential play-off series involving the hosts either. Northern Ireland will therefore have to qualify through the regular qualifying process, a huge blow for the country.

“To be clear Northern Ireland won’t qualify for an automatic slot if they are not a host nation,” Courell said at a media briefing in Dublin. “Unfortunately the criteria is that you need to host matches.”

Northern Ireland were initially included as one of five co-hosts of the tournament, along with Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales. Their hosting of games was predicated on the successful refurbishment of Casement Park, with no other stadium large enough to host a tournament game.

But plans to redevelop the stadium in time for the finals were halted in September. The UK government said the estimated cost of rebuilding the stadium had “risen dramatically” to more than £400 million and that therefore it would not be providing funding.

Now unable to host a game, Northern Ireland are set to lose out on a backdoor to the tournament  with no more than two wildcard places reserved for the best-ranked co-hosts who do not qualify.

“The reality is, while they may not be hosting, we still absolutely want them to feature in this tournament, and we’re in deep conversations with UEFA about what shape and form that will take, whether or not they can host training facilities or events or anything of that nature,” said Courell.

“We’re keen to see them as a partner for this tournament. They could host a draw, broadcast or training centre, or something. All of these variables are up for discussion.”

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