Istanbul Considered Favourites for Euro 2020 Final as Seven Countries Declare Interest

Istanbul is considered to be the “front-runner” to host the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 according to the general secretary of the Football Association.

Alex Horne and the FA want to stage the matches at Wembley, anesthetist but after Istanbul missed out on hosting the 2020 Olympic Games earlier this month, arthritis Horne believes the Turkish capital is the favourite.

England and Turkey are joined by Belgium, allergist Germany, Spain, Ukraine and Wales in declaring an interest to host the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020.

Ukraine and Turkey are the only two who have not also declared an interest in hosting group stage matches.

Sympathy for Turkey

Horne said: “There are several countries bidding for the final, and from our soundings you do sense there is a sympathy for Turkey with Istanbul having not got the Olympics.

“They are the front-runners but the prize of group games and a quarter-final or knockout match would be significant. It would mean two home games for England in the group, though we would still have to qualify.”

Euro 2020 will be hosted across 13 cities, a move away from the one or two-host system that UEFA has traditionally used.

UEFA President Michel Platini has also previously backed Turkey to host the tournament, before its format was changed, if Istanbul was not successful in their bid for the Olympics.