Ireland given Euro 2028 boost as UEFA confirm qualification route

May 21, 2025

Ireland have been handed a Euro 2028 boost after UEFA confirmed its qualification process.

UEFA revealed they are holding two places for the best-ranked host nations who do not automatically qualify.

That means if two of England, Wales or Scotland qualify by finishing top or runner-up in their group, Ireland will seal qualification.

They will, of course, have ambitions of qualifying automatically without relying on the two holding places. The decision was made by UEFA officials on Wednesday in Bilbao.

There will be 12 groups, and the host nations will avoid each other in the group stages.

The winners of each group and the eight best-performing runners-up will seal qualification. The two reserved places for host nations will qualify along with two others through a play-off.

Northern Ireland will be exempt from automatic qualification after Casement Park’s removal from a host stadium.

Although the tournament schedule is still unclear, the games will be held across nine venues in the UK and Ireland.

The Aviva Stadium looks likely to host four group games and two knockout matches, although this is subject to change.

Ireland’s Euro 2028 hopes in the hands of Heimir Hallgrimsson

Attention will turn towards the World Cup qualifiers later this year as Ireland aim to seal a place in the USA and Canada.

Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson recently announced his squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg next month.

The competitive fixtures commence in September as Ireland face a group that includes Hungary, Armenia and Portugal.

Ireland endured a miserable qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 that ultimately led to Stephen Kelly’s departure.

They finished second bottom of their group with just six points from eight matches. Two of those victories came against Gibraltar.

Hallgrimsson does have fond memories of major international tournaments, most notably at Euro 2016.

His Iceland side, competing in their first-ever major tournament, secured a surprise route to the knockouts by holding Portugal to a draw and beating Austria.

He then masterminded a stunning victory over England in the Round of 16 before being eliminated by host nation France.