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Whether he is still playing for England or enjoying a few pints and watching from the stands, Harry Maguire cannot wait for the European Championship to return to home soil in 2028.<\/p>\n
UEFA confirmed on Tuesday that the UK and Ireland\u2019s bid to host the tournament had been approved, having gone into decision day unopposed following the withdrawal of Turkey.<\/p>\n
Six of the 10 venues at the five-nation event will be in England, just seven years on from Glasgow and London hosting matches at the pan-European edition.<\/p>\n
Gareth Southgate\u2019s men went all the way to the Wembley final at rearranged Euro 2020 and defender Maguire cannot wait to experience another special summer in 2028.<\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully, I will be in the squad but, either way, I am sure I will be at the tournament,\u201d the 30-year-old said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll either be in the stands with my mates having a few pints or in the squad, helping the lads. For sure, I\u2019ll be supporting or playing, either way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a big fan of England and to have a tournament in this country\u2026 you know how the recent tournaments have gone in this country, it brings the country united. There\u2019s a real buzz around the place.<\/p>\n
\u201cI experienced playing in the final at Wembley against Italy, which was disappointing in the end, but it is a special place to be involved in when the team is playing well in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maguire went to Euro 2016 as a fan before breaking into the international set-up, going onto play a key role for Southgate\u2019s team at three major tournaments.<\/p>\n
England can qualify for next year\u2019s Euros over the coming week and intend to go through qualification process in 2028, when UEFA is understood to be reserving two host nation places for any team which does not make it on merit.<\/p>\n
\u201cQualifying for a major tournament is tough but also you have to look at it from a positive side,\u201d 59-cap Maguire said ahead of the friendly against Australia and Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Italy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we don\u2019t qualify for the major tournament, then we are not really there or ready to compete to win the tournament.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis nation now has been successful now for a 10-year period so we now need to start looking at winning these tournaments.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we can\u2019t get out of the qualifying group, we don\u2019t deserve to be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be a nightmare scenario but on the other hand we have to play with great belief and confidence that we can get out of the group and qualify.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what we will be looking to do. My eyes are not on \u201828 yet.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a big Euros coming up next summer and one that we\u2019re looking forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n