Following the news that UEFA is to set abandon its plans to expand the European Championships to 32 teams from 2028;

Conrad Wiacek, Head of Sport Analysis at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“The UEFA’s media partners have effectively blocked its plans to expand the European Championships to 32 teams from 2028. Broadcasters that have paid in excess of $1 billion for rights to the qualifying games have pushed back against the idea of allowing 32 out of 55 teams to qualify, which ultimately devalues the qualifying games.

“Broadcasters will be fearful of losing audiences and advertising revenue if meaningless games and dead rubbers are shown, thereby making their investments effectively worthless.”