Rishi Sunak chats with England stars Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford as he hails victory in bid to host Euro 2028
Rishi Sunak chatted to England stars today as he hailed victory in the bid to host Euro 2028.
The PM posed with manager Gareth Southgate as well as strikers Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford – and gushed about his ‘amazing’ memories of the 1996 tournament – after Uefa confirmed it will be staged in the UK and Ireland in four years’ time.
On a visit to the St George’s Park training ground in East Staffordshire, Mr Sunak said he expected the competition to provide a ‘massive boost’ to the economy.
But he also stressed that it would bring the country together and inspire the next generation of football fans.
Rishi Sunak posed with manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane after Uefa confirmed it will be staged in the UK and Ireland in four years’ time
Mr Sunak smiled as he spoke to Kane and Marcus Rashford (centre) – who has been a thorn in the side of the government with his campaign for free school meals
Mr Sunak gushed about his ‘amazing’ memories of the Euro 1996 tournament
Speaking to broadcasters Mr Sunak said: ‘I grew up with Euro 96 being one of the most amazing memories of my childhood. And we have a chance to do that all over again for lots more people, just like we did last year with the lionesses.
‘We host tournaments better than anyone else. It’s going to be a massive boost for the economy.
‘We’re going to welcome millions of people to the country and it’s going to inspire a whole new generation.’
Challenged over whether the benefits would outweigh the costs, he said: ‘I’m highly confident that we will benefit from this economically.
‘All our stadiums are largely already built, and when we’ve done these in the past they have proven to be a huge boost to the whole country, and especially the places that are hosting the matches.
‘But, more importantly than that, it also just brings the whole country together, inspires a huge generation of people to follow the sport and also just creates the most amazing memories.’
Ms Frazer said: ‘We will put on a brilliant tournament with fans at its heart. We will warmly welcome fans from across Europe to our islands’ shores and give people memories that will last a lifetime.
‘On top of that, the tournament is expected to deliver up to £2.6 billion of socio-economic benefit across the host nations, creating jobs and opportunities.’
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said hosting the tournament would ‘provide a range of opportunities, not only through the economic benefits of visiting fans but through a strong legacy programme that will help grow a more inclusive and diverse game right across the country’.
The Prime Minister said he is ‘highly confident’ that jointly hosting Euro 2028 with Ireland will benefit the economy.
Uefa confirmed on Tuesday that the UK and Ireland’s bid to host the tournament has been successful.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said it is expected to deliver £2.6 billion of socio-economic benefit across the host nations.
Declan Rice and Harry McGuire were also present for the PM’s visit to the England training ground today
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