Why Anfield won't host games as UK & Ireland chosen for Euro 2028

The Euros are coming to the United Kingdom, but sadly not to Anfield.

On Tuesday, UEFA have confirmed that Euro 2028 will be held in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland after the bid to host the tournament was met without opposition.

Ten venues have been put forward to stage the fixtures for the home nations tournament and, while Liverpool will be one host city, Anfield won't play a part.

Which stadiums will host Euro 2028?

The ten stadiums chosen for Euro 2028 are: Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London), the Principality Stadium (Cardiff), the Etihad Stadium (Manchester), St James’ Park (Newcastle), Villa Park (Birmingham), Hampden Park (Glasgow), the Aviva Stadium (Dublin), Casement Park (Belfast) and finally Everton's yet to be completed stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock (Liverpool).

Why not Anfield?

As one of the UK's largest and most historic venues, Anfield's omission appears something of an oversight, with the Reds' home not even making the original 14-strong preliminary shortlist.

However, the real reason for its exclusion is that Liverpool’s stadium is simply not eligible for consideration due to UEFA regulations over pitch size.

UEFA’s guidelines stipulate that for a stadium to host tournament games, “the field of play must have the standard dimensions of 105m by 68m.”

Anfield’s pitch, however, is on the small side at is 101m long, which falls short of the requirements.

It is for the same reasons why Anfield has not and cannot host a Champions League or Europa League final.

It is a shame because, already known as one of the football world's great atmospheres, once redevelopment work on the Anfield Road Stand is completed, Liverpool's ground will have a capacity of over 61,000, making it among the biggest in the Premier League.

The expansion project was initially supposed to have been completed for the start of the 2023/24 season, but hit delays with contractors, the Buckingham Group, going into administration.

It is now hoped that the Reds will play to a full capacity home crowd for the first time this season in the Merseyside derby after the international break on 21 October.