EURO 2032 crisis 'Turkey is the only host...'

The 2032 European Football Championship will be co-hosted by Turkey and Italy. However, things are already complicated. The reason is the stadiums submitted by Italy to UEFA for the organization.

ONLY ONE STADIUM IS ELIGIBLE

Five stadiums from each country will host the matches, but so far only one of Italy's nominated stadiums has been found suitable.

By October 2026, the projects will be finalized and a final decision will be made on five stadiums from each of the nominated cities.

The stadiums submitted by Turkey for the organization are as follows;

Ataturk Olympic Stadium: 74,753Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex RAMS Park: 52,223Ülker Stadium Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Sports Complex: 47,834Ankara New 19 May Stadium: 45 thousand (Construction in progress)Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Stadium: 43,361Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium: 42 thousandTrabzon Park: 40,782Gaziantep Kalyon Stadium: 33,502Antalya Corendon Airlines Park: 32,537Eskisehir Ataturk Stadium: 32,500

QUESTION MARKS

According to Italian Calcio e Finanza, the age of the stadiums in the Boot and the current uncertainty about the next steps to be taken in this regard are raising question marks for the matches to be played there.

"The situation is not very bright," the report said, adding that these conditions put Italy's co-hosting of the tournament at risk altogether. There is only one stadium that meets all the requirements and that is the Juventus Stadium in Turin. Stadiums in Milan and Naples are unable to host matches. The stadiums in Rome and Firenze also need improvements." The article continued with the following statements:

'HOSTING IN JEOPARDY'

"A not insignificant scarecrow is being erected in the background. With Italy unable to participate with fewer than the five stadiums planned, there is the option of playing the entire tournament in Turkey. This is a possibility to be avoided because it would be a tombstone that would destroy the reputation of Italian football."

DEADLINE OCTOBER 2026

There are 10 stadiums in the nomination file from Turkey. Three of these stadiums are located in Istanbul and seven in other cities. Apart from Istanbul, there are stadiums in Ankara, Bursa, Eskişehir, Konya, Antalya, Gaziantep and Trabzon. For the organization to be held jointly with Italy, 10 stadiums will be reduced to 5.

In October 2026, the draw of lots, opening matches, where the final matches will take place will be determined together with the Italian Football Federation.

According to UEFA's stadium criteria; 1 stadium with a minimum seating capacity of 60 thousand, 1 preferably 2 stadiums with a seating capacity of 50 thousand, 4 stadiums with a seating capacity of 40 thousand and 3 stadiums with a net seating capacity of 30 thousand.