Russia Eyes 2032 Euros Hosting If Italy Steps Back
Alexander Dyukov, the head of the Russian Football Union, has expressed Russia's readiness to host the 2032 UEFA European Championship should Italy withdraw. This comes despite the country's ongoing exclusion from international competitions due to sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.
In October 2025, Dyukov stated, 'Russia is always ready' to step in if Italy steps back from hosting duties. However, no new application has been submitted as of now. Russia's football association is eager to return to the international stage, but both club teams and the national association remain banned from international competitions.
The 2032 tournament is currently slated for Turkey and Italy. However, Italy's stadium conditions have faced criticism, potentially opening the door for a replacement host.
Russia's initial bid to host the 2032 Euros was deemed ineligible by UEFA in 2022 due to sanctions. Despite this setback, Dyukov's statement signals Russia's interest in hosting the prestigious tournament if the opportunity arises.
