In a first for the European Championship, UEFA’s Executive Committee has approved a qualifying system that includes all four host nations—England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland—in the preliminary rounds for Euro 2028. This marks a significant shift from previous tournaments where hosts typically qualified automatically.
The decision, announced on Wednesday in Bilbao, Spain, means these home nations will be placed separately into one of the 12 qualifying groups. The group winners and the eight best runners-up will secure direct qualification to the final tournament, which is set to be hosted across nine venues throughout the UK and Ireland.
A New Chapter for Host Nations in Euro 2028
Traditionally, host countries receive automatic entry into the final tournament. However, UEFA’s new plan shakes things up by requiring hosts to compete in the qualifiers. This move aims to keep competition fierce and ensure that the final lineup is based on current form rather than guaranteed spots.
The qualifying groups will be drawn to ensure that England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland do not face each other in the preliminary phase. This maintains fairness and spreads the excitement of the qualifiers across the region.
Yet, not everything is at stake for the hosts. Two places in the 24-team finals will be reserved for the best-ranked host nations who fail to qualify directly as group winners or among the top eight runners-up. It’s a kind of safety net to ensure the hosts have a presence on home soil.
Playoffs and Additional Qualification Routes
The remaining places in the tournament will be decided through playoffs. These will feature other runners-up from the qualifying groups as well as the best-ranked non-qualified group winners from the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League.
UEFA has said the total number of playoff-decided spots could vary between two and four, depending on how many of the host nations qualify directly through their groups or as top runners-up.
This flexible system attempts to balance giving hosts a fair chance while maintaining competitive integrity.
What This Means for UK and Ireland Football
For fans in the UK and Ireland, this qualifying format adds an extra layer of excitement. Instead of automatic entries, there will be real stakes for the home nations. The early rounds will likely draw strong local interest, with supporters rallying behind their teams in high-pressure matches.
It also provides an opportunity to see England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland battle through competitive fixtures that could shape the tournament lineup dramatically.
UEFA’s move may also help boost the profile of the qualifiers themselves, which often suffer from lower viewership when big teams automatically qualify as hosts.
A Glimpse at the Upcoming Euro 2028 Tournament
The final tournament will feature 24 teams competing across nine venues in the UK and Ireland. Though the schedule is yet to be announced, fans can expect a summer full of top-tier European football in iconic stadiums.
The UEFA Executive Committee made its announcement just before the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, highlighting the significance of this tournament cycle for British football.
As Euro 2028 approaches, this qualifying twist will keep the tension high, offering fans more drama and meaningful matches earlier in the process than ever before.
