Anfield will not be able to host any matches at Euro 2028 if the UK and Ireland are successful due to the size of the pitch at Liverpool 's iconic ground.
The five home nations have submitted a bid to host the tournament in six years time and are seen as the favourites. However, if they were to be successful, there would be no matches played on Merseyside unless Everton's new state-of-the-art 52,888-seater stadium on the docks was completed.
Anfield's pitch size has counted against it with UEFA rules stating that pitches must have fixed dimensions of 105m by 68m. The Reds' playing surface is just 101m long and cannot be extended due to the closeness of the stands at both the Kop and the Anfield Road end.
16 stadiums will need to be chosen in the bid submitted by the five nations but FA-led officials have informed Liverpool that Anfield is ineligible, reports The Sun. It furthers the needs for Everton to complete their work on a new stadium, although that could yet be affected by their possible relegation whilst stadium timeframes can often be pushed back.
Currently the Toffees are expected to be in their new stadium for the 2024/25 season, several years before the tournament. Liverpool lasted hosted at England game back in 2006, when the Three Lions beat Uruguay 2-1. The Three Lions have played away from Wembley on several occasions in recent years, but Anfield has not been utilised.
Wembley is expected to be central to the bid with arenas around the UK and Ireland bolstering the bid. Dublin's Aviva Stadium, Cardiff's Principality Stadium and Hampden Park in Glasgow are expected to host games if the bid were successful.
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Ideally bids should be submitted with ten stadiums - one of which must have 60,000 seats, one - but preferably two - must have 50,000 seats, four of which must have 40,000 seats and three of which must have 30,000 seats.
Back in March a joint statement from the FAs of England, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales read: "The governments of the UK, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have confirmed their support for the expression of interest submission and, given the Northern Ireland Executive is currently not meeting formally, officials there continue to observe the process closely.
"This unprecedented partnership of five associations offers something special to European football, including the potential for an expanded tournament, and we are passionate about maximising the sustainability and legacy benefits for communities across the UK and Ireland."
