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British and Irish football organisers rejoiced at the news they had been successful in their bid to host Euro 2028 – but there's plenty of work to be done before the Home Nations are ready.
And one of the 10 stadia proposed to host games in five years' time looks particularly underprepared for the occasion as things stand. Not only that, but there remains a degree of uncertainty as to whether Casement Park in Belfast will ever be able to fulfil its plans to become a top-class venue once again.
As things stand (barely), the stadium sits in ruins and is a shadow of its former self, which was once considered the home of Gaelic sport in Northern Ireland's capital. The former 32,000-seat site is little more than a grey graveyard to the past, now more closely resembling a literal urban jungle.
READ MORE: Stadium included in England and Ireland's Euro 2028 bid is derelict and lying in ruin
READ MORE: England and Ireland to host Euro 2028 after Turkey withdraw bid for tournament
It was confirmed on Wednesday that Turkey's withdrawal from the Euro 208 bid process meant England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland had won hosting rights by default. Turkey pulled out of the race one week before a victor was due to be announced and will instead co-host with Italy at Euro 2032.
For now, though, organisers will be preoccupied with ensuring those venues planning to host fixtures in 2028 are ready for the occasion. And uncertainty remains when it comes to whether the blueprint for a new 34,5000-capacity Casement Park will ever materialise.
Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) had enlisted contractors Buckingham Group to oversee the redevelopment of Casement Park. However, those plans were dealt a heavy blow after it was confirmed in early September that the company – which was overseeing the rebuilding of Liverpool's Anfield Road Stand – had entered administration.
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Funding issues have also been cited among the reasons why Casement Park's construction plans have suffered setbacks in the past. Buckingham Group won the contract for its redevelopment back in 2013, but there was little tangible movement around the project prior to the company's collapse.
“There are so many grounds in Northern Ireland that need investment,” said Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson at a recent business breakfast in Belfast. If only the appetite among investors was nearly as ravenous.
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Nelson has even more recently assured it will be 'all systems go' for the new build if the nation's Euro 2028 bid was successful. However, Northern Ireland's fellow co-hosts will need to see more meaningful movement before plans can be rubber-stamped – particularly when substantial stadia like Anfield and Old Trafford are currently missing from the tournament map.
Concept pictures of the revamped Casement Park show a modern monument brought into the 21st century, complete with stand covers and considerable seating. However, it remains to be seen whether the £100million investment will get the green light those in Belfast have been craving for a decade.
Proposed Euro 2028 stadia
Casement Park (Belfast) – 34,500
Wembley Stadium (London) – 90,652
Principality Stadium (Cardiff) – 73,952
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) – 62,322
Etihad Stadium (Manchester) – 61,000
Bramley Moore Dock (Liverpool) – 52,679
St James' Park (Newcastle) – 52,305
Villa Park (Birmingham) – 52,190
Hampden Park (Glasgow) – 52,032
Aviva Stadium (Dublin) – 51,711
- Euro 2020
- England Football Team
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