Has any country expressed interest in bidding for the 2030 UEFA Futsal EURO?

It's going to be very interesting with the likes of France(Zidane) , Germany (klopp), Portugal (midfield), Netherlands (xavi) and Spain (midfield)

Golden Generation

A persistent narrative in football punditry claims that the UEFA European Championship represents a higher sporting standard than the FIFA World Cup. This argument rests on the premise that the Euros eliminate "weak" global regions, creating a dense concentration of elite teams. To support this view, proponents often point to the historical records of Europe’s two most successful traditional powerhouses, Italy and Germany, noting that both nations have actually won more World Cups than European Championships. However, a strict chronological and statistical analysis of historical data (specifically tracking titles, final appearances, and semi-final finishes from 1960 onwards) exposes this argument as a deeply flawed and easily debunked myth.

To understand why the Italy and Germany comparison is fundamentally misleading, one must first address a glaring historical reality: the European Championship did not exist until 1960. By the time the inaugural European tournament kicked off, the FIFA World Cup had already staged six editions, firmly establishing itself as the ultimate global proving ground. Pointing to Germany’s four World Cups versus three Euros, or Italy’s four World Cups versus two Euros, completely ignores the timeline. Italy, for instance, won two of its World Cups in 1934 and 1938—decades before the Euros were even conceived.

When we correctly align the data and look exclusively at the era from 1960 onward, when the Euros were created, the argument completely collapses. Since 1960, Germany has won three World Cups (1974, 1990, 2014) and three Euros (1972, 1980, 1996)—a perfectly identical number of titles. Meanwhile, Italy has won two World Cups (1982, 2006) and two Euros (1968, 2020) in that same timeframe. In terms of reaching the absolute peak, Europe’s elite find it just as difficult, if not more so, to cross the finish line on the global stage. Because the Euros have only existed for a shorter timeframe, the pool of data is more compact, making it easier for specific generations of mid-tier teams to inflate their continental records, while true global dominance remains reserved for the World Cup.

The historical trajectory of Portugal provides the perfect empirical proof of this disparity. At the European Championship, Portugal has established itself as an undeniable continental giant. Since their debut, they have reached the final four on five occasions, including a runner-up finish on home soil in 2004 and a historic tournament victory in 2016. However, their World Cup record tells a completely different story of frustration and early exits. In nearly a century of World Cup history, Portugal has never reached a World Cup final. Their absolute maximum achievement on the world stage remains a solitary third-place finish in 1966, followed FORTY (!) years later by a fourth-place finish in 2006. The stark contrast between winning a Euros and failing to even compete in a World Cup final highlights how continental familiarity shields teams from the unpredictable, multi-continental pressures of a true World Cup.

An even more drastic example of this competitive illusion is found in the history of the Soviet Union (USSR). In the European Championship, the USSR was a dominant force, particularly in the tournament's early decades. They won the inaugural tournament in 1960 and finished as runners-up three times (1964, 1972, and 1988), meaning they reached the actual final four separate times. Yet, when translating this supposed European supremacy to the global stage, the Soviets consistently hit a glass ceiling. The absolute maximum result for the USSR at a World Cup was a single fourth-place finish in 1966. They never won a World Cup, never reached a World Cup final, and only made it to the semi-finals once in their entire existence. If the Euros were truly the harder or superior tournament, a team that reached four continental finals would have logically translated that dominance into at least one global final appearance.

This trend of continental overachievement compared to global underperformance is further exemplified by the modern records of Spain and England post-1960. Spain is undeniably the most successful team in European Championship history, having won a record four titles (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024) and reaching the final five times. Yet, despite this absolute dominance over their European peers, Spain has broken into the Top Four of a World Cup only TWICE since 1960 (their two World Cup titles which were also their only deep runs in the tournament since 1960). For nearly seven decades, the ultimate continental masters have repeatedly choked on the global stage, proving that conquering Europe does not equate to navigating a World Cup.

England presents an identical paradox. The Three Lions have experienced great competitiveness at the Euros in the 21st century, reaching back-to-back finals in 2020 and 2024, alongside two other semi-final appearances (1968, 1996). However, in the post-1960 era, England has never reached a World Cup final outside of their controversial 1966 victory on home soil, managing only a single semi-final exit in 1990, a fourth-place finish in 2018 and a third-place finish in 2026. Both Spain and England prove that when the intra-continental safety net is removed, European tactical familiarity is not enough to survive global competition.

Finally, the narrative completely collapses when analyzing the presence of South American giants, whom European teams are completely spared from facing during the Euros. Out of the World Cups played since the Euros were created in 1960, South American nations (Brazil and Argentina) have captured 7 global titles(Brazil in 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002; Argentina in 1978, 1986, 2022). A tournament like the Euros completely excludes the single most successful footballing nation in history (Brazil) and the reigning global heavyweights (Argentina). Navigating a tournament where you do not have to gameplan for South American flair, tactical distinctiveness, and raw physical intensity is mathematically and structurally easier.

In conclusion, the raw data of historical results destroys the myth of European Championship superiority. The logic used by its proponents falls apart when adjusting for the 1960 timeline, while the actual tournament data shows that the Euros regularly allow teams like Portugal, the USSR, Spain, and England to accumulate a massive collection of continental finals and trophies that they simply could not replicate when forced to face the rest of the world. The World Cup remains, without question, the statistically validated peak of football because it demands a level of historical adaptability and global excellence that the Euros, by their very definition, cannot offer. The euros were harder in the group stage before they were diluted to 24 teams, that much is true. But that’s about the end of it.

Is this a good move or bad one? Please comment with your thoughts on this.

Hi guys, i was just at my Grandma in Kyrgyzstan and i found a vase that looks very similar to the Euro Throphy. And also can you guys explain me what the Euro Throphy is based on? Thanks!

(HYPOTHETICAL!)

Imagine if Northern Ireland re-receives its UEFA Euro 2028 host country status by building a modular stadium like Qatar did for the 2022 FIFA World Cup...

This approach has already been used in events like:

• 2022 FIFA World Cup (Stadium 974)
• London 2012 Summer Olympics (temporary venues)

A modular stadium doesn’t need heavy legacy infrastructure, so Northern Ireland could choose:

1. Belfast (Titanic Quarter / docks area), a symbolic, urban, accessible
2. Near Casement Park to preserve the original plan’s legacy
3. A neutral greenfield site near major transport links

If approved, Northern Ireland could host either:

1. 3–4 group stage matches
2. Possibly one Round of 16 game

Reasons why it could work:

1. Cost-effective; avoids expensive permanent construction
2. Politically easier; fewer long-term funding disputes
3. Sustainable; materials reused elsewhere
4. Fast delivery; fits tight UEFA timelines

I know that Northern Ireland is part of the likely-to-succeed 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup bid, but I wish it could be a 2028 UEFA Euro co-host again, because hey, what is the United Kingdom without Northern Ireland?

Please let me know if you're in on it; I'll appreciate feedback be it positive or not

I really hate penalty shootouts...

Hurts the Euros credibility as well

I've seen many comments questioning how the hell they won the Euro

Pretty crazy this was their first Euro title in 53 years at the time (1968 being the previous)

I'm still glad they beat England though

Still, England win back to back so it never left home.

chloe kelly coming on really boosted moral and despite the tough competition, AMAZING win for england!! yippee yippee yahoooo

Calm as you like

What’s happening?so many dodgy decisions.

Si us plau!(Catalan) S'il vous plait! Per favore! Mesedez!(Basque) Per plaschair!(Romansh) ...All the Swiss🇨🇭/Spanish🇪🇸 languages in GoogleTranslate (watching game now; a Spanish player can't play in Semis if Spain wins). (...but if football lords speak Romansh, they'll be offended I waited till the end.😥)

Please don't make the player miss the NEXT game! 😜 Make the player exit THIS game (but they can be substituted). The consequence should partly benefit THIS opponent too.

Moreover, I saw a referee accidentally make a wrong close call on a yellow card, unjustly removing a favorite player from the next game of a World Cup (🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿Wales men.)

Is it a medieval rule? Bronze Age? (If so, few of us 🇺🇸Americans will understand.)

Per plaschair! 🙏

(I'm not getting an answer from the football lords. Maybe Basque?) Mesedez! 🙏

LATER EDIT: Or player must leave this game plus suspended from 1st HALF of next game.

Or discourage yellow cards more by getting more creative with consequences: The 3rd TEAM yellow card within a game sends a player off (so must play with 10). AND 5th team yellow card creates automatic penalty kick! (red cards = 2)

Other ideas?🙂

During Sweden-England Euros shootout, this American/British announcing team was wrong so often, it was weird! 🥴😆

Examples:

After a kick went significantly right: "It was right down the middle."

After keeper deflected a kick into post: "It was going to be well wide."

Although Falk never made a save that 'kept Sweden in it': "Falk has kept Sweden in it again!"

And at the start of Round 7 after taking six penalties each, with the score tied 2-2: "After four penalties each, we're at 1 all." 😳

Bonus: The British announcer TALKED during kicks! 😞 even the most tense kicks of all like Round 5 when Sweden was kicking to win it — and Round 7 when Sweden was kicking to stay alive. In the whole stadium, no one is talking. But the announcer: "blah blah..."

I was at the seitzerland-iceland match and the number 23 of iceland(SVEINDÍS JÓNSDÓTTIR) was always provoking. First of all she always lied on the floor but more importantly, whenever she did a trowin she cleand the ball with a towel for 30seconds. Its not only time play but also just anoying. And she also did it after they where 2-0 down. Sure i am not neutral because im swiss but nobody wants to see this in a match. And if they tolerate things like this they just trow a bad light on the whole team and tournament. Just give a yellow card and its done. Dont let her do her petty revenge for 90 minutes

How well did he manage the under 21s after having a not so good spell with the men senior team would you give him another chance at the big time?