Two English stadiums set to host Euro 2020 games with Dublin to pull out

Two English stadiums are set to host Euro 2020 games this summer with UEFA braced for city Dublin looking likely to pull out.

Reports state that England will be handed at least four more matches for the European tournament with confirmation on the Irish city’s exit to be confirmed.

That would give Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions side the prospect of an extra match on home turf this summer, although NOT at Wembley.

UEFA’s deadline for the 12 scheduled venues to confirm they are able to host games with crowds is fast approaching and Dublin is believed by senior figures to be the most likely city to be unable to give Euro chiefs the guarantees they seek, leaving the Aviva Stadium set to be stripped of its fixtures.

It is now expected that the four games due to be played in Ireland will be switched to England, as the Football Association is already in advanced planning for seven games at Wembley.

It has been suggested that the £1billion Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, together with the number of training grounds and top-class hotels around London, looks set to be the preferred second option.

Police will no doubt want to prevent two matches within the capital on the same say, should that would be the case with Sweden due to meet Slovakia – for now in Dublin – on June the 18th, a few hours before England and Scotland kick off at Wembley.

That would make Manchester an easier alternative, with the Etihad Stadium viewed as easier to retro-fit to UEFA tournament standards than Old Trafford in the short time-frame available.

Dublin being replaced by an English stadium would be a massive incentive for Southgate, with his side currently due to play their last-16 game in Ireland if they win their initial group.

With Europe experiencing another rise in cases, both Munich and Bilbao is a doubt, although officials at UEFA headquarters in Nyon expect both the German and Spanish cities to eventually meet the demands required.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is giving the go ahead for the turnstiles at Hampden Park to be opened despite health and safety concerns.

UEFA’s group of national associations is due to meet on Thursday in the wake of the reports from the 12 cities.

The earliest final decisions will then be made is Friday, although that is likely to only be the case if all 12 cities are available or Dublin is only host city to be axed from the list.

If any other cities are unable to give go ahead with the tournament this year, it is likely UEFA would then put off the final call until its next executive committee meeting on the 19th of April, giving those nations extra time to meet the pre-conditions.

There are also strong concerns over whether travelling fans will be permitted in various countries as well as other issues including media regulations.

With two English stadiums set to host Euro 2020 games with Dublin to pull out, Should the home of Tottenham Hotspur be one of the them?

13 June 2021 – England v Croatia
Wembley Stadium, London

14 June 2021 – Scotland v Czech Republic
Hampden Park, Glasgow

18 June 2021 – Croatia v Czech Republic
Hampden Park, Glasgow

18 June 2021 – England v Scotland
Wembley Stadium, London

22 June 2021 – Croatia v Scotland
Hampden Park, Glasgow

22 June 2021 – Czech Republic v England
Wembley Stadium, London

14 June 2021 – Poland v Slovakia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (TBC)

18 June 2021 – Sweden v Slovakia
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (TBC)

23 June 2021 – Sweden v Poland
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (TBC)

26 June 2021 – Winner Group A v Runner-up Group C
Wembley Stadium, London

29 June 2021 – Winner Group D v Runner-up Group F
Aviva Stadium, Dublin (TBC)

6 July 2021 – Winner Match 46 v Winner Match 45
Wembley Stadium, London

7 July 2021 – Winner Match 48 v Winner Match 47
Wembley Stadium, London

11 July 2021 – The Final
Wembley Stadium, London