UEFA are set to formally announce that the 2021 Women’s European Championship will be postponed and it set to take place from July 6-31 in 2022. It is expected that the decision will be confirmed at tomorrow’s UEFA Executive Committee meeting.
The Women’s Euro’s was due to be held in England next summer but as a result of a number of other sporting events being moved, the decision has been made.
The International Olympic Committee pushed back the Tokyo Games until next year. A number of the Senior Women’s international teams will compete at this and undoubtedly this factored into the consideration.
England are set to host the Euro’s with the opening match of the tournament taking place at Old Trafford, with Wembley hosting the final. Games will also be played at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, Brentford, Brighton, Leigh Sports Village, the Manchester City Academy Stadium, Milton Keynes, Rotherham and Southampton.
The Irish Women’s national team are currently on track to qualify for the major tournament for the first time ever. They beat Greece and Montenegro earlier in March which leaves them in a good position at the top of the table.
Nine group winners and three runners-up qualify for the Championships, along with the three best runners-up. The other six second-placed teams will play off for the final three spots.
Last month there were rumours that the 2021 Women’s Euros were almost certain to be moved back to 2022 given the number of postponements in other sports. There appeared to be a consensus among European football’s governing body that 2022 provided the best opportunity for the tournament to stand alone as the men’s World Cup in Qatar is due to take place at the end of that year.
Moving the Euros to 2022 would also avoid two women's football tournaments in the same summer. As the only European teams in the Olympics, the Netherlands, Sweden and England - competing as a home nations composite at the Olympics - would otherwise have to compete in two competitions back-to-back.
