ROME (AP) – The Italian government’s new sports minister has signed a letter to UEFA supporting the country’s bid for…
ROME (AP) — The Italian government’s new sports minister has signed a letter to UEFA supporting the country’s bid to host the 2032 European Championship.
“The sustainable, long-term development of Italian sports facilities is one of the government’s priorities,” Andrea Abodi, a minister and former Serie B president, said in a statement released by the Italian soccer federation on Monday. “Italy’s bid to host Euro 2032 is a fundamental factor in accelerating this process.”
Abodi’s letter will be attached to the preliminary application file, which is due to be submitted to UEFA next week.
Final bids are due in March and UEFA will choose a host in September 2023.
Italy won Euro 1968 and also hosted the 1980 championship won by West Germany as well as four Euro 2020 games.
The last major soccer tournament hosted in Italy was the 1990 World Cup, and many of the country’s stadiums have not been renovated for more than three decades.
UEFA will also decide the host of Euro 2028 next year.
There is a joint bid by the UK and Ireland for 2028, while Turkey is making a bid for either 2028 or 2032, and Italy is focused solely on 2032.
Russia previously announced a declaration of interests until 2028 or 2032, but was subsequently excluded from the process due to the war in Ukraine.
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