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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Paul O'Hehir

Stephen Kenny backs Euros expansion as says 2028 bid is 'positive for Ireland’

Stephen Kenny is in favour of expanding Euro 2028 to 32 teams as it will help Ireland to qualify.

UEFA - which has 55 member nations - will decide later this year if that tournament will be increased from 24 to 32 sides.

Ireland and Britain are set to win the hosting rights and Dublin could stage up to eight matches including a quarter-final.

But the five host nations won’t be given automatic qualifying positions and will have to earn the right to be there.

Quizzed on UEFA’s possible expansion, Kenny said: “I’m going to go with the obvious as it suits us.

“Qualifying for tournaments is never easy for a country our size. It would be foolish for me to be against a 32-team competition.

“The fact that a couple of extra group games would have to be played wouldn't dilute the overall quality of the quarter-finals, semi-finals or finals - I wouldn't see that.”

Kenny believes it will be a positive step for Ireland to host part of Euro 2028 having missed out on Euro 2020 due to Covid.

The FAI has been accused of chasing a vanity project by looking to stage a major tournament on these shores.

Some fans feel the money could be better spent improving other aspects of the Irish game, like the League of Ireland and grassroots football.

Ireland fans (©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

Kenny said: “It’s a point of view which I respect and I don’t necessarily think they are conflicting.

“Do I want all the resources to be focused on (Euro 2028) and away from all the other aspects of football in Ireland, no I don’t, of course not.

“Can they coexist, can we continue to grow football at all levels in the country and the league and still have Euro 2028 as a separate entity? Possibly.

“That’s the way I see it. I think it’s positive to have the European Championships in Ireland - that’s a good news story.

“It’s a distance away but I’m sure the Irish supporters will look forward to having games in the country.”

But Kenny continued: “The infrastructure in this country is nowhere near where it needs to be.

“It needs serious government investment and the Taoiseach has acknowledged that. We’re way behind in this country, we know that.

“But I don’t think that is necessarily conflicting with hosting Euro 28. Ultimately, Euro 28 is a money generator for the economy, isn’t it?

“I’ve no idea what it’s costing or how much it is. I’m not qualified to speak in regard to the exact figures involved.

“But personally, I don’t see it as a negative. I see Euro 28 as an opportunity to have a big event in Ireland, big football events.

“The Irish football public would enjoy the experience, they would want to be a part of it, but it is years away.”

And Kenny played down the prospect of managing Ireland at Euro 2028, claiming his focus was on more immediate goals.

“It’s a considerable distance away and I’ve to be focused on March first and foremost. I’m not going to make a big statement about that now,” he said.

“My job is to prepare the team for the Nations League and the European Championship qualifiers and to get into Euro 2024.

“If we achieve that, then we can look forward after that.”

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