England will host Euro 2028 alongside Ireland, Scotland and Wales, bringing back memories of the summer of 1996 and 2021 when the finals were played at Wembley.
The Three Lions will be hoping they can finally move on in Germany next summer, but if they don’t, they will be dreaming of the comforts of home four years after the official announcement.
But there is still a long way to go, with Gareth Southgate likely to leave his position next summer after the European Championship in Germany, and the England team could look a lot different by the time the tournament is over.
Or will it look exactly the same?
We take a look at who might start when the euro reaches these shores in four and a half years.
But, as always, who knows what will actually happen since it will all depend on the fortunes of different players and their teams.
He already won the European Championship with England Under-21s last summer and is now Burnley’s first-choice player after Vincent Kompany spent £20m to bring him from Manchester City.
It’s been a difficult start to life in the Premier League, but at just 21 years old, he has plenty of time to improve before 2028.
Jordan Pickford will be 34 by the tournament so he can’t be ruled out to keep his place and who knows what will happen with Aaron Ramsdale now that he has been dropped by Arsenal.
(Photo: Getty Images)You’d have to imagine that at 33 years old now, Kyle Walker will have hung up his England boots before then, but given he’s still one of the best players in the world, you never know!
Realistically, England will have moved further, and if Reece James has overcome his injuries, he may have achieved that.
But I’d go for Rico Luis who Pep Guardiola praises and trusts to move from right-back into midfield already.
(Photo: Getty Images)He will be 33, but looks like he is the type of player who will adapt to his feet slowing down, and whoever is England coach at the time will need some experience in defence.
Stones is now developing into one of the best defenders, but he can also slot into midfield, which would be beneficial for any English manager.
Jarel Kuensah has broken into the Liverpool team now and could be an option if he continues to develop.
(Photo: Visionhaus via Getty Images)Already in the England squad, he has had success at Under-21 level playing for Chelsea. Colwell is only 20 years old, but looks like he could be an England regular for some time.
However, he still has a lot to learn to ensure he plays regularly at senior level with the talent emerging behind him. Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite could be a contender.
(Photo: UEFA via Getty Images)This is difficult. Shaw will turn 33 in the latter stages of the 2028 tournament, so he could be old by then, having suffered many injuries in his career, and could be regressing.
But he was a player who continued to bounce back when he looked like he was struggling and I’m backing him in making a late run to return to the England squad in 2028. Ben Chilwell is likely to be the replacement unless another quality left-back emerges.
(Photo: Ikon Sport via Getty Images)He is now a midfielder for England, even if he still plays a hybrid right-back/midfield role for Liverpool, and his presence in midfield will only improve over the coming years.
Alexander-Arnold will be 29 years old when the tournament gets underway and his experience will be vital in midfield.
Another player to look out for is Manchester United’s Kobe Maino, who has yet to make an impression at Old Trafford but is widely viewed in England under his age level. While his Liverpool teammate Harvey Elliott hopes to have already reached the top level by then.
(Photo: Visionhaus via Getty Images)Being a solid player in England, he will be a veteran by 2028, but he is still under 30 years old.
He has now stepped up to a top club in Arsenal and shows no signs of fading on the biggest stage. Rice will continue to develop and could become a huge figure in world football by 2028.
(Photo: Getty Images)He’s arguably on his way to becoming the best midfielder in the world already, so the excitement over how good Bellingham will be by 2028 is huge.
With a player of this quality in their team, England fans will believe they can win the title if he doesn’t lead them to it before then.
(Photo: Getty Images)Is he still only 22 years old? He seems to have been around for some time now and you imagine he will be at his best by 2028 which will be exciting for England fans.
Saka will have the ghosts of Euro 2020 to exorcise at Wembley when he missed a chance in a penalty shootout defeat by Italy in the final.
He will compete to become the big star of the tournament on home soil. Watch out for Liverpool’s Kaede Gordon as he pushes for a starting spot.
(Photo: Getty Images)Yes, Harry Kane will be the golden old man by the time the tournament is over, but at the moment there is a shortage of No.9s coming through England who are groomed at under-age level, which means winning the European Championship at under-level 21 years have been without a striker.
Kane will be close to 35 when the tournament starts, but he’s a player who has taken great care of himself, so don’t rule out him being there on home soil.
(Photo: Sneak via Getty Images)Who really knows in this place? Will Marcus Rashford take the next step to become world class or will he fade away?
Will Foden finally find a place in England’s regular starting lineup? Will another young striker like Anthony Gordon really emerge? Could Cole Palmer become a big star at Chelsea?
It’s hard to say but Foden will be in his early years and if he continues to develop he should be involved.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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