Wembley to host four additional Euro 2020 matches after Brussels loses right to stage games
The national stadium was already set to host the semi-finals and final of the 2020 competition
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Your support makes all the difference.Brussels has lost its right to host games at the 2020 European Championships, with Wembley now set to stage four more additional matches for the competition.
The Belgian city has been dropped from the 13-nation hosting plan because of delays in the construction of a new stadium.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said that the four matches due to be staged in Brussels – three group games and one last-16 match – would be played at Wembley instead, in addition to the two semi-finals and final already scheduled to be held there.
Wembley will now host a total of seven games for the 2020 Euros.
Uefa also picked Rome to stage the opening game of the 24-team competition.
The 2020 tournament is the first to be played under a new format with group games spread across several countries.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: "We are delighted to help Uefa by hosting the additional four matches at Wembley Stadium.
“It’s an honour to be one of the 12 nations that will play a part in this prestigious ‘Euro for Europe’ tournament and I would like to thank the Uefa Executive Committee for giving us the opportunity to stage these games.
“This has been a collective and collaborative process and we could not have done it without the support of the Government and the Mayor of London. Together we are determined to deliver open, inclusive and memorable events for the fans at one of the world’s greatest stadiums.”
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It speaks volumes about our great city that London has been awarded an additional four Euro 2020 matches, reinforcing the capital’s reputation as the sporting capital of the world.
“It’s the perfect starting point for a tournament that will culminate in London proudly hosting the showpiece semi-finals and final.
“We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best players and fans from around Europe and the world – confirming that #LondonIsOpen.”
The Football Association of Wales, which had applied to host four games at the Principality Stadium, said it was "extremely disappointed" to have missed out.
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