Fix infrastructure or lose 2032 Euro co-host role, UEFA warns Italy

Italy’s role as co-host of UEFA Euro 2032 is under serious threat unless the country upgrades its football stadiums, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has warned.

Italy is currently set to host the tournament alongside Turkey, but poor infrastructure has put its position in jeopardy.

According to BBC Sport on Thursday, the country’s football federation has until October to put forward five stadiums to UEFA, the European governing body, to host Euro 2032 matches.

“Euro 2032 is scheduled and will take place. I hope the infrastructure will be ready. Otherwise, the tournament will not be played in Italy, “Ceferin told Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ceferin, who had given his backing to former FIGC president Gravina before the news of his resignation was made public, said Gravina was not to blame for the nation’s lack of stadium regeneration.

“Perhaps it is Italian politicians who should be asking themselves why Italy has some of the worst football infrastructure in Europe,” he said.

Italy’s ability to host Euro 2032 now hinges entirely on urgent stadium upgrades. Without immediate action, UEFA may reassign matches, marking a major setback for Italian football.

Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.

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