Government and FAI still hopeful that more Euro 2028 games can be played in Ireland

Ireland’s prospects of hosting extra Euro 2028 games - in light of Northern Ireland’s failure to provide a suitable venue - are still very much alive.

That’s according to outgoing sports minister Thomas Byrne, who also believes that UEFA could respond positively to the prospect of Croke Park and Páirc Uí Chaoimh staging matches.

Northern Ireland withdrew from the joint bid after funding for the redevelopment of Casement Park fell through.

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So the Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh FAs will now proceed as part of a four-association bid, with each looking for a share of the five games that were due to be played at Casement Park.

Six games are currently pencilled in for the Aviva Stadium - and Minister Byrne said: “I don’t think it’s fully determined that there won’t be extra matches. We are still expecting more.”

As for the prospects of Croke Park or Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh getting involved, he added: “We knew that would be a difficult case but it was a case that was made to the FAI.

“I did know that it would be difficult to do that at this particular point, because they had done the inspections some time ago.

“But these things can still change. So we’re certainly not going to give up completely on it.”

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