Euro 2028 Matches in Ireland Sought Amid Venue Issues

The Irish government is seeking to host additional matches for the Euro 2028 tournament due to the UK's decision not to fund the redevelopment of Belfast's Casement Park, which was initially slated to host five games. The cost of rebuilding the stadium escalated to over £400m, prompting Irish officials to propose other venues in Ireland to UEFA, emphasizing regional tourism benefits. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland's Nations League match against Belarus faces uncertainty as Belarusian players may be denied UK visas under sanctions due to Belarus's support of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. If visas are not granted, the match may have to be moved to a neutral venue in Europe. Manager Michael O'Neill expressed concerns over losing home advantage, highlighting the significance of playing at Windsor Park in Belfast.