Russia to submit long-shot bids to host European soccer championship in 2028 or 2032


"You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take" might be a cliché, but the Russian Football Union certainly seems to believe it.
The executive committee of the RFU announced Wednesday that it plans to submit bids to the Union of European Football Associations for Russia to host the men's European Championship in either 2028 or 2032, The Guardian and ESPN report.
This decision comes amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn widespread condemnation, including from international sports leagues. ESPN reported last month that Russia had been kicked out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by FIFA and that the UEFA had suspended all Russian teams and clubs. Russia was set to host the UEFA finals in St. Petersburg, but the matches were moved to Paris after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
One Twitter user imagined the conversation at RFU headquarters that led to the decision to submit the bid despite the UEFA ban and Russia's pariah status:
"Do you think we should still send in this PowerPoint to host Euro 2028, Vlad? With the war and everything?" one imaginary Russian sports official said.
"Boris, the worst they can say is no," the other replied.
According to The Guardian, the EUFA warned Russia that if it follows through in its declared intention to submit a bid, Russian teams could face further sanctions.
The British Isles are set to host the championship in 2028, while Turkey and Italy are vying to host in 2032.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
5 weather-beaten cartoons about the Texas floods
Cartoons Artists take on funding cuts, politicizing tragedy, and more
-
What has the Dalai Lama achieved?
The Explainer Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has just turned 90, and he has been clarifying his reincarnation plans
-
Europe's heatwave: the new front line of climate change
In the Spotlight How will the continent adapt to 'bearing the brunt of climate change'?
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
'The risk to educational media for children has seemingly been lost'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress