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Aviva Stadium to host seven games at Euro 2028

Aviva Stadium will host seven matches at the next Euros
Aviva Stadium will host seven matches at the next Euros

Dublin's Aviva Stadium will host seven games at Euro 2028, including a last-16 clash and a quarter-final, with the Republic of Ireland set to play all their group games at Lansdowne Road if they qualify directly.

The tournament, which had its official launch in London tonight, will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Casement Park in Belfast was stripped of matches due to funding delays, leading to doubts the stadium would be completed in time.

Last year, FAI chief executive David Courell said that Euros matches originally slated for Casement Park might still be held in Ireland, but only at the Aviva.

At that time the Aviva was down to host four group games and two knockout games.

At tonight's launch it was confirmed that Dublin will get an extra match: five group games plus two knockout fixtures.

Cardiff will host the opening clash on 9 June, with the final scheduled for London's Wembley Stadium on 9 July.

The big hope for Irish supporters is that the Boys in Green will be part of the tournament.

The Republic of Ireland last reached a Euros in 2016, when they made it to the last 16 under the guidance of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane.

UEFA has previously confirmed that places at the tournament will be reserved for the two best-ranked host nations who don't automatically qualify.

That means if two of England, Wales and Scotland reach the finals, then Ireland are guaranteed to be there, regardless of how they fare in qualification.

However, qualifying directly does come with a reward, as host nations would get to play all their group games in front of their own fans. Dublin will host two Group B and three Group E games. Ireland would go into Group E if they qualified directly. If they won the group, their round-16 game would be in Dublin. If they came second it would be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"We all know that we had hoped to have Casement, that's not the case now so Ireland picks up a game and we obviously get a quarter-final," said Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan.

"Our vision with UEFA is around vision and legacy. We have to make sure that we build a legacy for soccer in Ireland.

"Ireland is ready to play its part in delivering a world-class tournament that will excite fans and energise communities across the country.

"The Government is investing up to €93m to make it happen and I am confident the return will far exceed that, in jobs, tourism and pride."

At their AGM last Saturday, the FAI detailed how it has "rephased" its debt having reached an agreement with its three main lenders - UEFA, FIFA and Bank of Ireland - to extend the timeframe for repayments.

The FAI says it is looking to have debts (which currently stand at €38m) cleared by 2036. Key to that ambition is the financial windfall that will come from being a co-host of the Euros in three years' time.

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