Nyon [Switzerland]: Germany has been named as the hosts for Euro 2024, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) confirmed on Thursday.
Hosting a major international football tournament since the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany’s bid prevailed over a bid from Turkey, thus prolonging the latter’s wait to host a first major international football tournament.
The Euro 2024 will also mark the first instance of the tournament being hosted in a united Germany. West Germany hosted the 1988 Euros.
Under the supervision of an independent notary, the UEFA Executive Committee – comprising UEFA president Alexander Ceferin and 16 other members – cast their votes for the hosting rights.
The winning bid was announced by Ceferin. Prior to the announcement, he said, “We had two very strong bids. Two big footballing countries fighting for the Euro, but unfortunately only one can host the Euro 2024.”
Former Germany and Bayern Munich captain Phillip Lahm was the German ambassador for the bid.
As many as 10 German cities will host Euro 2024 matches, with Bayern’s Allianz Arena, Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion and Hertha Berlin’s Olympiastadion among the notable stadiums to be used, goal.com reported.
Matches will also be held in Gelsenkirchen, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Leipzig and Frankfurt.
Reacting to Germany being named as the host, Ceferin said, “The procedure was transparent. The voting was democratic. Every democratic decision is the right decision so I can only say I am looking forward to seeing a fantastic Euro in 2024.”
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]