Sources: Euro 2020 Unlikely To Stay With 12-Host Format

The rescheduled Euro 2020 is unlikely to take place in 12 host cities across Europe as planned, with Russia "currently the leading candidate to host the entirety" of next summer's tournament, according to sources. Staging a tournament in 12 different countries amid the pandemic is "becoming more unlikely by the day," with UEFA "knowing perfectly well that such a competition is impossible to organize under current conditions." Sources said that Russia currently is favored because of its strong relationship with UEFA, which was "forged during the beginning of the pandemic" when the country "offered to host the Euro" before it was postponed.

But the transparency of Russia's coronavirus statistics are "often questioned" and the country's "borders have been closed since March 18, although exceptions are possible for sports teams." When contacted, UEFA "would confirm nothing," saying that it "will take as much time as it needs to decide" (LE PARISIEN, 11/3).