Euro 2020: Host cities and match schedule to remain the same following tournament’s postponement
Euro 2020 was pushed back until next summer [Image: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD]
UEFA have confirmed that the host cities for Euro 2020 will remain the same after the tournament was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Wales were scheduled to take on Switzerland and Turkey in Baku before heading to Rome for their clash with Italy later this month.
However, UEFA made the decision to push the competition back until next summer due to the crisis – but confirmed that the tournament will still be known as Euro 2020.
Despite reports that there would be some changes to the host cities, UEFA have now confirmed that the venues and tournament schedule will remain the same next summer.
The tournament will now run from 11 June – 11 July 2021.
Ryan Giggs’ men, who reached their second European Championship finals after sealing qualification in November, will get their tournament underway against Switzerland at Baku Olympic Stadium on Saturday, June 12 2021.
Wales face Turkey at the same venue four days later, before concluding the group stage with a clash against Italy in Rome on Sunday, June 20.
The Euro 2020 play-off semi-finals will take place in October, which will see home nations Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as the Republic of Ireland, compete for places at next year’s tournament.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said: “UEFA took a bold decision when it decided to postpone EURO 2020.
“But in doing so, we created the space which has allowed domestic club competitions across the continent to resume, where possible, and play to a conclusion.
“While the game has suffered huge difficulties as a result of the pandemic, those blows would have landed much harder if we had not shown leadership in those early days.”
UEFA also confirmed that they have made changes to some of their tournaments, including the Champions League, Europa League and Women’s Champions League, which will affect Welsh clubs.
[Featured image: Lewis Mitchell]
