UEFA opens office in Istanbul ahead of major tournament

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin inaugurated the organization's new office in Istanbul on Thursday, calling it a strategic move to ensure the smooth delivery of several upcoming high-profile football tournaments.

"With so many major events coming up, we decided to open an office here in Istanbul to create a strong local presence, and to ensure the smooth organisation of these prestigious tournaments," Ceferin said during the opening ceremony.

The Istanbul office will play a central role in coordinating the UEFA Europa League final in 2026, the UEFA Conference League final in 2027 and the UEFA European Championship (EURO 2032), which will be co-hosted by Turkey and Italy.

Highlighting Turkey's proven record in hosting major football events – including the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, the UEFA Cup final in 2009 and the UEFA Super Cup in 2019 – Ceferin praised the country's commitment to excellence.

"Turkey and Istanbul have consistently delivered world-class events of extraordinary grandeur," he said.

“(Now with) the Europa League and Conference League finals approaching, and EURO 2032 on the horizon, Turkey continues to show growing ambition and commitment to establishing itself as one of the leading hosts in global sports.”

"The stakes are high. UEFA fully supports you on this journey."

"With so many major events coming up, we decided to open an office here in Istanbul to be a strong local presence and ensure the seamless delivery of these prestigious tournaments," he said.

Ceferin expressed his confidence in the collaborative efforts between UEFA and the Turkish authorities, saying, "Together, we will not only meet expectations, but exceed them.

"We will set the standards for future tournaments."

“Now, we are bringing all of our experiences, expertise and best practices to make these events truly exceptional,” he said.

He also thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish government and the Turkish Football Federation for their continued support.

"We expect fantastic tournaments. I expect a EURO 2032 final between Turkey and Italy," he said.

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