Despite being banned from international competition by FIFA and UEFA, Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov has boldly stated that Russia is ready to host Euro 2032 if Italy fail to meet their obligations. The ban was imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, this hasn’t deterred Dyukov from asserting Russia’s readiness to re-engage with European football amid doubts over Italy’s ability to host the tournament.
As it stands, Italy will co-host the Euros with Turkey in seven years’ time. The venues for the tournament remain uncertain, with investment in renovations and new stadiums underway, including a transformation of the iconic San Siro stadium. When questioned about Russia’s willingness to step in should Italy be unable to host, Dyukov was unequivocal.
“Russia is always ready,” he declared to Sport24 after Russia’s match against Bolivia.
However, Russian news outlet Izvestia has clarified that no new bid has been made for the competition. They report that the Russian Football Union submitted an application back in 2022.
Earlier this year, Ezio Simonelli, the president of the Italian league’s governing body, voiced his concerns following criticism of Italy’s infrastructure by UEFA boss Alexander Ceferin.
“I’m really worried about Euro 2032,” Simonelli confessed to Italian state radio.
“Is the candidacy at risk? I hope it’s just my concern, but when the president of UEFA says that our stadiums are in a comatose state and the Euros are in six years’ time, we risk not making a very good impression on an international level.
“It’s a shame, however, that, beyond Udine, Bergamo and Turin, the rest of our stadiums are in a comatose state. Ceferin has strongly criticised Italian stadiums and I agree with him.”
Simonelli added: “We are behind all the other countries. In the last 18 years we have only inaugurated six stadiums, of which only three are in Serie A. In the rest of Europe, 226.
“I am very worried. We are pressing the government to streamline the procedure and thus silence the famous ‘no committees,’ which in Italy never get anything done, and the authorities that are supposed to protect cultural heritage.”
Despite being banned from competition, Russia have still managed to secure fixtures. They have taken on Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan and received an invitation to participate in the Central Asian Football Association in 2023.
Russia have previously considered the prospect of abandoning European football altogether. They examined the possibility of leaving UEFA and making the switch to the Asian Football Confederation instead.
