Wales and England are among seven countries to have declared an
interest in bidding to host the Euro 2020 final and semi-finals.
Wembley
Stadium and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium have been put forward as possible contenders but Football Association
general secretary Alex Horne has admitted Turkish city Istanbul is the
front-runner.
The other countries to have declared an interest are Germany, Spain,
Belgium and Ukraine - all bar Ukraine and Turkey have also declared an
interest in hosting group matches in the tournament, which is being
played in 13 different cities across Europe, if they are unsuccessful in
landing the final.
Horne said Istanbul was now favourite after losing its bid for the 2020
Olympics but that hosting group matches too would be important - it
would guarantee England two home group games if they qualified.
Horne said: "There are several countries bidding for the final, and
from our soundings you do sense there is a sympathy for Turkey with
Istanbul having not got the Olympics.
"They are the front-runners but the prize of group games and a
quarter-final or knockout match would be significant. It would mean two
home games for England in the group, though we would still have to
qualify."
Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have also declared an interest in
hosting group games - indeed 32 of UEFA's 54 member nations have done
so.
Countries have until April to decide whether to formally bid and submit
a candidate dossier, with UEFA's executive committee to make a decision
on the 13 host cities in September next year.
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