The Euro 2020 has been decided. Italy won the coveted trophy for the first time since 1968 and broke many English hearts. UEFA’s planning for the upcoming tournaments has already started. From 2028, 32 teams could start.
After the field of participants in the European Championship had already increased from 16 to 24 a few years ago, the European Football Union UEFA is considering a further expansion to 32 teams from 2028, according to a media report. The continental association is beginning to review the feasibility, the AP news agency reported on Sunday. The review of the EM format is part of the bidding process for hosting the European Championship in seven years. The host is to be determined at the end of 2023. The next EM will take place in Germany in 2024. As in 2016 and this year, 24 teams will compete.
More than half of all UEFA members would then be represented
Should there be an expansion to 32 teams, more than half of the current 55 UEFA member associations would be at the start. The current format has been criticized again and again because from the six groups, each with four teams, four third-placed teams qualify for the round of 16. This had led to waiting times for third parties in which they did not know whether they would be in the knockout round or not. The executive committee would have to decide on an expansion of the European Championship, currently DFB interim president Rainer Koch and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as representatives of the European club association ECA sit on the committee.
The field at world championships had recently been enlarged. In Qatar, 32 teams will be there in the coming year, as was the case last. There are 48 teams at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The legendary Wembley Stadium in London has been captivating spectators since 1923. Whether football games, the Summer Olympics or concerts – moments like the “Wembley Goal” in 1966 or the Live Aid concert in 1985 will never be forgotten.
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
