UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has warned that Italy faces the risk of not hosting the Euro 2032 tournament, which it had proposed to co-host with Turkey, due to the poor condition of its stadiums, considered among the worst in Europe.
In statements made to Italian television 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', Ceferin emphasized that Italy's sports infrastructure is in urgent need of improvement. He stated, "Euro 2032 will take place, there is no doubt about that. I just hope that the infrastructure in Italy is ready. If that does not happen, the tournament will not be held in Italy."
Event Details
Italy is regarded as one of the historic nations in football, but it has not hosted a major tournament since the 1990 World Cup. Most of the major stadiums in the country were either built or renovated specifically for that event, but they are now suffering from significant deterioration. In October, Italy must identify the five stadiums that will host matches for the tournament, with 11 cities in contention, including Rome, Florence, and Milan.
Italy can propose new stadiums or those that need renovation, provided that work begins before March 2027. Currently, the only stadium fully ready to host matches is the Allianz Stadium of Juventus in Turin.
Background & Context
Italian football faces numerous challenges, with Ceferin noting that the biggest issue lies in the relationship between football authorities and politics. In recent years, Italy has seen a decline in performance in international tournaments, failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, which has increased pressure on the Italian Football Federation.
In a related context, the city of Naples has received the green light to build a renovation project for the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, which hosts matches for the league champion team, Napoli, reflecting the efforts of some cities to improve sports infrastructure.
Impact & Consequences
If Italy cannot improve the condition of its stadiums, it may negatively affect its reputation as a destination for hosting major tournaments, potentially leading to lost investment and tourism opportunities. This situation could also increase pressure on the Italian federation, necessitating radical reforms in the management of football in the country.
Moreover, this situation may impact players and coaches, as the lack of good infrastructure could affect performance levels and development in the game.
Regional Significance
Italy is one of the countries that enjoys significant following in the Arab world, with many Arab fans connected to Italian teams. If Italy loses the hosting rights for the tournament, it could affect Arab fans' passion for Italian football and reduce opportunities for organizing joint sporting events in the future.
In conclusion, Italy's future hosting of the Euro 2032 tournament hangs in the balance, contingent upon improving the condition of its stadiums, which requires genuine efforts from the relevant authorities.