Irish soccer bodies team up for tournament hosting bid
BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — The Irish and Northern Irish soccer federations are teaming up to bid to host the UEFA Under-21 European Championship in 2023.
The Belfast-based Irish Football Association and Dublin-based Football Association of Ireland issued statements Thursday launching their first joint tournament hosting bid.
Cross-border cooperation comes as the FAI and the four British soccer federations are exploring a joint bid to host the World Cup in 2030.
The Irish federations say they will file a formal bid with UEFA next year. A decision is expected in 2020.
The soccer bodies say Irish rugby officials have offered stadiums north and south of the border as potential venues.
The Irish and Northern Irish national soccer teams will play a friendly in Dublin on Nov. 15.
