Euro 2028: Belfast to host qualifying draw

Belfast has been confirmed as the location for the hugely EURO 2028 Qualifying draw nxt year

The draw at ICC Belfast on Sunday December 6, 2026 is expected to attract Europe’s leading national team coaches, association representatives, UEFA leadership personnel and special guests.

The Qualifying Draw will determine the group stage matchups, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, progressing to the knockout rounds. The tournament itself will be staged across nine venues and eight cities.

However, Belfast won't host any matches at Euro 2028 due to the lack of a suitable venue following the controversy around the rebuild of Casement Park.

Northern Ireland had been scheduled to host five ties in the tournament.

The opening match will be held in Cardiff with the month-long tournament set to featurs games in nine venues across the four hosts nations - England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

The final be held in London's Wembley Stadium.

The quarter-finals will be held in Cardiff, Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Glasgow's Hampden Park and Wembley.

Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa Park, Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium and St James' Park in Newcastle are the others that will be utilised across the 51 matches overall.

At this stage, next year's qualifying draw will be the only event to be held in Northern Ireland.

Conrad Kirkwood, President of the Irish Football Association, said: “The road to UEFA EURO 2028 starts right here in Belfast. We are incredibly proud that our city will play such an important role in delivering what will be the best-ever EURO — one that celebrates passion, inclusivity and the power of football to bring people together.

“It’s a proud moment for the Irish FA and for everyone who loves football here in Northern Ireland.”

Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Football Association, added: “It’s a real privilege to host the Qualifying Draw for UEFA EURO 2028 — a key milestone in what promises to be a memorable, world class tournament.

“We’ll welcome UEFA’s leadership, national associations and teams to Belfast, giving them the chance to experience everything our city and ICC Belfast have to offer. It’s fantastic news for Belfast, for Northern Ireland and for football across these islands.”