Italy risks losing hosting rights for EURO 2032

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has issued a strong warning that Italy risks losing its co-hosting rights for EURO 2032 with Turkey if stadium infrastructure conditions are not promptly improved.

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Ceferin bluntly stated that Italy's stadiums are currently among "the worst in Europe." He emphasized that EURO 2032 will definitely take place, but Italy may not retain its co-host role if infrastructure fails to meet requirements.

"EURO 2032 is scheduled and will definitely happen. I just hope their infrastructure will be ready. Otherwise, the tournament will not be held in Italy," Ceferin warned. He also suggested Italian authorities should reflect on why the country's football infrastructure has lagged behind the rest of Europe.

Italy last hosted a major football tournament during the 1990 World Cup. Most current stadiums were built or renovated for that event, and after over three decades, many facilities have deteriorated significantly.

According to the plan, Italy must announce five host stadiums for EURO 2032 by October. Currently, 11 cities are candidates: Rome, Florence, Bologna, Verona, Milan, Genoa, Bari, Naples, Turin, Cagliari, and Palermo. New or renovated stadiums must commence construction before March 2027.

Currently, only Juventus's Allianz Stadium is considered ready to host major matches. Meanwhile, Inter Milan and AC Milan have recently purchased the San Siro stadium from the city authorities and plan to build a new 71,500-seat stadium on the same site, completing by 2031. However, this deal is under investigation by prosecutors due to suspected bid rigging.

Additionally, AS Roma has received approval from Rome's capital authorities to build a new stadium, while Fiorentina's Stadio Artemio Franchi is undergoing upgrades.

The city of Naples has also submitted a renovation project for Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, home of Napoli. The project has a budget of around 200 million euros, including removing the athletics track around the stadium. Mayor Gaetano Manfredi stated the renovation is necessary "regardless of whether EURO 2032 takes place here."

UEFA's warnings place Italy under significant pressure, with only a few years left to upgrade infrastructure, lest it forfeits the opportunity to host one of Europe's biggest tournaments.