Lithuanian football received a major international boost today as UEFA confirmed that the country will host the 2028 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
The decision was taken on December 3, when UEFA’s Executive Committee met in Switzerland to assign the hosts for the 2027-2029 European youth championship final tournaments. Among the announcements was the confirmation that Lithuania will stage one of Europe’s most prestigious youth competitions, bringing the continent’s brightest teenage talents to Lithuanian soil.
“It is a great pleasure to once again receive the opportunity from UEFA to host another final tournament in our country. We are grateful to President Aleksander Čeferin and UEFA for their trust, and to our own team for the tremendous effort that went into preparing the bid. Now the real work begins. Many countries competed for the right to host this championship, which makes this achievement even more significant.
This will be another major international tournament for Lithuania. It has been a long time since we last staged a final tournament in a boys’ European championship, so extensive preparation lies ahead. We are confident the competition will attract strong interest from football fans, as it will showcase the brightest young talents in European football.
It will also be a major test for our own young players, who will have the opportunity to measure themselves against Europe’s elite national teams.” said LFF president Edgaras Stankevičius.
The tournament further strengthens Lithuania’s growing reputation as a dependable host for international football. In recent years, the country has welcomed a series of high-profile events, including the UEFA Under-19 European Championship in 2013, the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in 2018, the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2021, and the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship in 2024. Another major event is already on the horizon, with the UEFA Futsal European Championship set to be staged in Lithuania in the near future.
Set for July 2028, the Under-17 European Championship is expected to attract strong interest from fans and talent scouts alike, offering a first look at players who could become the stars of European football in the coming decade.
Source: https://www.lff.lt/puikios-zinios-2028-aisiais-lietuvoje-vyks-europos-vaikinu-u17-cempionatas/
