The Irish Times on the Euro 2028 bid: Premature and foolhardy

For an association that is just emerging from the greatest crisis in its history, the decision by the Football Association of Ireland to join forces with the other governing bodies for soccer in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a bid to host the 2028 European Championships seems both premature and foolhardy. With accumulated debts running into tens of millions and its recovery still very fragile, the FAI's attempt to secure a portion of Europe's showpiece soccer tournament may be a more realistic ambition than winning the rights to stage the 2030 World Cup but it still appears to be far too early in its recuperation from near financial meltdown.

The focus on winning high-profile tournaments will always appeal to sports bodies but in this case the FAI has more urgent priorities than devoting significant resources to years of preparation for perhaps four or five matches. Aside from its financial difficulties, the association has a disenchanted base that is looking for a proper investment policy and an imaginative vision to develop the game, particularly at grassroots level.

Supporters love a successful national team more than staging international events

The announcement of the Euro 2028 bid has coincided with the release of the FAI’s strategic plan for the next four years. The plan may tick a lot of boxes in its aspirations to develop the game at all levels – with a particular emphasis on underage and girls’ participation – but it’s hard to realistically expect an injection of €1.5 million – the allocation for grassroots football – to make much of an impact. Soccer in the Republic lags well behind the other main sports of Gaelic games and rugby in providing adequate training grounds and dressing rooms for players and clubs. Even a highly respected figure like former international player and the new Shelbourne manager Damien Duff recently lamented the state of basic facilities, describing them as “so poor and light years behind everywhere”.

Real challenges

That damning assessment will never garner the same headlines as a bid for a high-profile tournament but it puts into perspective the real challenges facing the FAI. The association urgently needs to rebuild trust with its clubs, members and supporters after years of controversy and neglect. That trust won't be rebuilt by staging the European Championships or a similar event. The Irish and British governments may see political kudos in backing the Euro 2028 bid but they should also be chastened by their recent experiences in failing to win the rights to the 2018 soccer World Cup in England and the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. Supporters love a successful national team more than staging international events. They also fully appreciate that establishing success at the highest level is built on developing the players of the future in the right environment. That won't be achieved by putting the cart before the horse.