UEFA president meets UK prime minister ahead of EURO 2028 launch event
Thursday, November 13, 2025
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Aleksander Čeferin met with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and representatives from both the UK government and the English Football Association (FA) as part of a trip celebrating official UEFA EURO 2028 brand launch.
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Having previously visited Cardiff, announced as the venue for the tournament’s opening match, to meet the Football Association of Wales (FAW), President Čeferin travelled to London where he attended a Downing Street event hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy. FA chair Debbie Hewitt and England and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings, who is also a board member for UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, the company responsible for the local organisation of the tournament, were also in attendance.
More on UEFA EURO 2028
"At UEFA EURO 2028, we will all speak football - loud, clear and united," said the UEFA president. "The host nations, where the game first took shape, are eager to welcome millions of fans into legendary stadiums, providing the right stage for a festival of emotions.
"The fans will be the beating heart of this tournament. In the way matches are staged - including a new, more convenient kick-off time for the final - and in the services across host cities and stadiums, we want to maximise the fan experience, in the venues and around the world, so more people than ever can fully enjoy what promises to be one of the year’s greatest events."
Prime Minister Starmer spoke about the advantages of hosting the tournament: "UEFA EURO 2028 will be the biggest sporting event ever jointly hosted by the UK and Ireland and, as a lifelong football fan, I know how much international competitions like this matter. This tournament will bring fans from across Europe to iconic footballing cities like Birmingham and Glasgow, inspire the next generation to lace up their boots, and deliver billions in economic benefits."
"The tournament will bring fans from across Europe to iconic footballing cities."
Meanwhile Ms Nandy explained the UK government's determination to ensure the tournament leaves a lasting impact across the nation: "We are poised to do all we can to make this an unforgettable experience. The legacy starts now, not in 2028. We will be launching activities years before the tournament that will continue long after the final whistle – creating new opportunities for children to get active and healthy in safe spaces, generating exciting moments for communities to unite around their shared excitement, and maximising the potential to boost economies in host cities and far beyond."
EURO 2028 will feature matches played at nine stadiums across England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, with London’s Wembley Stadium to host the final on Sunday 9 July 2028.