Gareth Bale Set to Make International Return for Wales in Euro 2028 Bid
Gareth Bale, the five-time Champions League winner and former captain of Wales, is set to make an international return for his country. Bale, who led Wales to their first World Cup appearance in 64 years in Qatar last year, has been added to the Euro 2028 bid team. The bid aims to bring the competition to the Home Nations and Ireland.
Bale, who has been capped 111 times over a 16-year period, is expected to become one of the poster boys of the Euro 2028 championships if the bid is successful. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) sees Bale as a crucial part of their bid presentation due to his global fame and recognition.
Noel Mooney, the FAW chief executive, expressed his excitement about Bale’s involvement in the bid. He stated that when they approached Bale, he immediately agreed to help them get the bid over the line. Mooney emphasized Bale’s global popularity, mentioning that people from all over the world recognize him as a Welsh football icon.
The joint bid by the Home Nations and Ireland aims to host the Euro 2028 tournament across the two islands. The FAW is hoping to stage six games at the Principality Stadium in Wales. The stadium has a rich history of hosting major football events, including seven FA Cup finals, Olympic football matches in 2012, and the 2017 UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus.
Mooney believes that hosting multiple matches during the tournament will have a greater impact than a single one-off event. He mentioned the success of previous competitions like the 2016 Euros in France and the upcoming 2024 tournament in Germany. Mooney also acknowledged that the COVID-19 affected Euros and the unique World Cup experience in Qatar were different from previous events.
The final decision on which bidding nations will receive automatic places in the tournament will be made by UEFA. Mooney acknowledged that work needs to be done to upgrade the Principality Stadium, which will be called the ‘National Stadium of Wales’ during the tournament. The stadium requires improvements such as better floodlights, a scoreboard, and discussions on hospitality numbers and the TV compound.
Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government are fully supporting the bid and are optimistic about the return on investment. Mooney mentioned that significant investment will be needed to bring the stadium up to the required standards. However, he is confident that these issues can be resolved to ensure a successful bid.
In conclusion, Gareth Bale’s international return for Wales in the Euro 2028 bid is an exciting development for Welsh football. Bale’s global fame and recognition make him an ideal ambassador for the bid. The joint bid by the Home Nations and Ireland aims to bring the tournament to the two islands, with Wales hoping to host six games at the Principality Stadium. With the support of Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government, the bid team is confident in their ability to upgrade the stadium and meet UEFA’s requirements. The final decision on the bidding nations and the tournament format will be determined by UEFA in due course.