The UEFA Executive Committee, gathered in Nyon, Switzerland, has officially granted the rights to host the Euro 2032 to Italy and Turkey. This momentous decision was in favour of the joint bid submitted by these two nations, which seemed imminent from the moment they announced their candidacy three months ago. The tournament is set to take place in nine years, making it Italy’s third time hosting the event and a debut for Turkey in hosting this prestigious football tournament. Notably, Euro 2028 was previously awarded to the unique candidacy of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
The hosting duties will be evenly divided between Italy and Turkey. There is speculation that the final match might be held in Rome, while the opening game could be played at Istanbul’s Atatürk Stadium. The Italian Minister for Sports and Youth, Andrea Abodi, expressed his excitement about the upcoming event, stating, “Euro 2032 being awarded to Italy also represents a tremendous opportunity to create positive legacies long before the event takes place. This goes beyond the cities directly involved in the event and extends to the positive impact it will have on tourism and, most importantly, on the improvement of political relations for the sake of peace.” Abodi emphasized the role of sports as a universal ambassador for peace.
The Italian delegation in Nyon was led by the President of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Vice President of UEFA, Gabriele Gravina. He was accompanied by the FIGC’s General Secretary, Marco Brunelli, Euro 2032 Project Manager Antonio Talarico, and the entire team responsible for preparing the bid. The Turkish delegation included Mehmet Büyükekşi, President of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), General Secretary Kadir Kardaş, and Vice President Mustafa Eröğüt. For the presentation of the bid to the UEFA Executive Committee, Italy was represented by two distinguished ambassadors: Gianluigi Buffon, the National Team’s Head of Delegation and all-time appearance record-holder, and TV host and journalist Ilaria D’Amico. The Turkish ambassador was Volkan Demirel, a former goalkeeper for the Turkish national team.
Gabriele Gravina, President of FIGC, spoke optimistically about Italy’s ability to meet the infrastructure requirements, stating, “The awarding of Euro 2032 to Italy, alongside Turkey, marks a historic turning point for us. It’s a tremendous opportunity to revolutionise infrastructure in our country. We have three years to gather ideas, plan, and execute. We are not at a disadvantage; our candidacy received favourable assessments for three stadiums, and we need just two or three more. We rely on the support of everyone, starting with the government. While an extraordinary commissioner for stadiums is welcome, it alone is not sufficient.”
Gianluigi Buffon, the Head of the Italian National Team’s Delegation, viewed the joint candidacy as an opportunity for dialogue during a politically challenging period. He expressed, “I liked the Italy-Turkey joint bid because, in a difficult political moment, it can be a beautiful opportunity for dialogue.” Buffon also emphasised the shared traditions and the importance of civil rights. He noted, “We all need to make progress in this regard, including Turkey.” He concluded by praising the current national team, highlighting the positive football displayed under the leadership of Coach Spalletti.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) conveyed their gratitude to UEFA for awarding Euro 2032 to Italy and Turkey, two countries that share Mediterranean culture. They expressed their commitment to hosting the best-ever European Championship and building lasting friendships. Italy and Turkey will work together intensively in the coming years to provide fans with the ultimate European Championship experience by 2032, all under the motto “Play as One.”
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