Wembley is set to be given an extra Euro 2020 last-16 tie when the UEFA addresses uncertainty around matches to be played in Dublin (Republic of Ireland), Bilbao (Spain) and Munich (Germany) on Friday.
UEFA announced that nine venues will have spectators watching games. Dublin is certain to lose its four games and Bilbao’s could be moved to Seville because of Covid-19 issues.
A fixture clash means that Dublin’s group-stage games will not go to Wembley, England.
However, it is understood that its last-16 game, featuring the winner of the group England is a part of, will be moved to Wembley, potentially setting up home advantage for the Three Lions.
If England can win Group D, which also features neighbours Scotland, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and the Czech Republic – they will play the second-placed team from Group F on home soil on 29th June 2021.
The stunning Wembley stadium in London will host the Euro 2020 final. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Group F is the so-called “Group of Death” as it features defending European champions and UEFA Nations League winners – Portugal. It also features current World champions – France, and the 2014 World Cup winners Germany. Hungary completes the group and the Hungarians have looked good this time and will be keen on causing an upset or two.
Euro 2020 – delayed by a year from its original schedule because of the coronavirus pandemic – was due to be hosted by 12 different European cities but with travel constraints and the spread of the virus across Europe has led the UEFA to take a few measures into consideration.
UEFA’s executive committee will discuss the matter around the host nations and reorganising on Friday morning. It had told host cities that stadiums must be able to hold at least 25% capacity to be allowed to keep their fixtures.
Dublin and Bilbao’s matches will be moved but it is not known whether Munich will give guarantees around access for supporters in order to keep its four games – three in Group F and one quarter-final.
Stadiums in England, other than Wembley, are thought to have been ruled out for the group matches that were due to be played in Dublin.
Wembley was already chosen to host three group games as well as a last-16 tie, both semifinals and the cup final, but is not currently scheduled to stage any quarterfinal games.
A total of 51 games will be played and 24 teams will slug it out between 11th June and 11th July 2021 to determine who is the best in Europe. The winner of the Euros will pretty much be one of the favourites to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
