The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2028 European Championships, as confirmed by UEFA. The joint bid for Euro 2028, which encompassed England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Ireland, faced no opposition.

Turkey had contemplated entering the bidding process but decided against it last week, opting instead to host Euro 2032 alongside Italy. Other potential joint bids, including those from Nordic countries, Spain and Portugal, and a group of southeastern nations (Greece, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria), failed to gain traction and were not submitted to UEFA.

The UK and Ireland initially considered bidding for the 2030 World Cup but redirected their efforts towards hosting Euro 2028, a decision that has now proven successful.

The 2030 World Cup is set to be hosted across six countries on three continents, with the opening three games taking place in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, followed by the majority of the tournament in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.

In an unusual twist, the five host nations for Euro 2028 will not receive automatic qualification for the tournament and will have to go through the traditional qualifying process. UEFA, however, will reserve two automatic slots for any of the host countries that do not qualify.

The proposed stadiums for Euro 2028 include renowned venues like Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, and others across the host nations.

The UK and Ireland has today been confirmed as hosts of #EURO2028!

Full details: https://t.co/GkJmimLDTu#UKIreland2028 pic.twitter.com/yTpS7QwzDi

— England (@England) October 10, 2023

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Al-Nassr player Cristiano Ronaldo created more history on Thursday night in Lisbon, when Portugal defeated Liechtenstein 4-0.

Ronaldo netted a brace in Portugal’s first game under new manager Roberto Martinez, kicking off the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in style. Bayern Munich’s Joao Cancelo and former Manchester City teammate Bernardo Silva both scored.

Ronaldo, who joined Saudi side Al-Nassr in January, captained Portugal against Liechtenstein. It was his 197th senior game for his country – becoming the most capped player in men’s international football. Yet it wasn’t his only achievement on Thursday night.

CR7 also became the first player to score 100 competitive international goals with his brilliant brace in Lisbon. The veteran’s first strike was a penalty, while his second was a ferocious free kick. It was a reminder of what he still has to offer at the international level.

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Ronaldo’s goals mean he has now scored for 20 consecutive years for Portugal. His first goal came in June 2004, when Portugal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Greece during the group stages of Euro 2004 on home soil. They famously also lost the final to Greece.

Ronaldo has scored a lot of goals since then. He has 120 goals for Portugal, making him the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football. Ali Daei of Iran is second on the record with 109 goals, while Argentina’s long-term adversary Lionel Messi has 98.

Ronaldo has 197 caps for Portugal, moving him ahead of Bader Al-Mutawa of Kuwait (196 caps), Soh Chin Ann of Malaysia (195), Ahmed Hassan of Egypt (184), and Ahmed Mubarak of Oman (184). (183).

To add further context to Ronaldo’s achievement, Sergio Ramos is the second-most capped European men’s footballer with 180 senior outings for Spain. Gianluigi Buffon played 176 times for Italy, while Iker Casillas managed 167 appearances for Spain.

Ronaldo was asked about his desire to break records ahead of Thursday night’s game. He said, “Records are always positive, it’s my motivation and as you know, I like to break records. I have a lot of records, but tomorrow’s is also a special record.

“Being the most capped player in history – I have to confess that it is something that leaves me quite proud. In addition to being the best scorer ever for the national teams, I would also like to be the most international capped player. But not only tomorrow, I would like to have a lot of matches in the future.”

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Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, on Thursday set yet another international record after his team’s 4-0 victory against Liechtenstein in a Euro 2024 qualifying match.

In the match against Liechtenstein, Ronaldo made his 197th appearance for Portugal, making him the all-time leader in appearances for men’s international football.

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The Kuwaiti striker Bader Al-Mutawa and the Al-Nassr forward had previously shared the record, but the former Manchester United player now holds the record alone.

Ronaldo scored two goals against Liechtenstein, one of which was a trademark free kick.

His brace took his tally to 120 in international football goals, which extended his lead as the top scorer in that regard.

The 38-year-old will be hoping to build on his outstanding performance for Portugal when they play Luxembourg on Sunday night.

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England Head Coach Gareth Southgate has announced his first 2023 squad as they prepare for Euro 2024 qualification. Ivan Toney has been added to the squad, however, Ben White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Raheem Sterling have been left out.

Toney, a striker for Brentford who was passed over for World Cup duty but now has 16 Premier League goals for the season, rejoins the Three Lions squad.

Although Gareth Southgate is willing to give the 27-year-old forward another chance and disregard the headlines he has been creating off the field this season, Arsenal defender White, who was sent home early from the Middle East, has no place in a first team since Qatar 2022.

After receiving limited playing time at Manchester United this season, Harry Maguire is called upon again, but Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been omitted as further concerns are raised about his defensive abilities. Raheem Sterling of Chelsea will miss the game due to an injury.

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ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham United)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Here we go… your #ThreeLions for March camp! 🦁

— England (@England) March 16, 2023

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