Uefa says Euro 2028 joint-hosts England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will have to come through qualifying to participate in the competition.
Nine venues across the four host nations will stage the 24-team tournament.
Northern Ireland was originally named as a host nation, but has since pulled out after Belfast’s Casement Park was removed as an option due to funding.
Unlike previous Euros that have seen the hosts qualify automatically, Uefa has had to alter its protocols given the 2028 edition is being held across the four nations, who will each be in separate qualifying groups.
Instead, 20 nations will go through, with 12 as group winners and eight as the best-placed runners-up.
Two of the remaining four spots will be allocated to the two best-ranked host nations who fail to qualify automatically.
The final two places will be decided via play-offs between the remaining runners-up and the best-ranked 2026-27 Nations League non-qualified group winners.
The make-up of the play-offs will depend on the number of spots needed for the host nations.
If two are used, then eight teams will compete in two pathways for the final two spots, with single leg semi-finals and finals.
If one is used then 12 countries will compete in three pathways for the three remaining spots, with single leg semi-finals and finals.
If none of the four places are used by host nations then eight teams will contest four home-and-away play-offs, with the winners going through.
Six stadiums in England – Wembley, Etihad Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park, Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and St James’ Park in Newcastle – will host games in 2028, while Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff make up the list.
The qualification schedule is expected to be finalised in autumn 2025.
