BERLIN -- Germany says it has struck a deal with England that will give the world champions a good chance to host the 2024 European Championship.
The agreement would see the Germans drop their interest in the 2020 tournament ahead of the vote by UEFA's executive committee on Sept. 19. Wembley Stadium in London and Allianz Arena in Munich had been the contenders to host the semifinals and finals at Euro 2020, which is being spread across the continent.
"We've spoken with (England) about it, that they could hold off (applying for) Euro 2024 and support our application," German football federation general secretary Helmut Sandrock told Sport Bild magazine. "In turn, we'd forego the Euro 2020 games and support England's bid for Euro 2028."
Germany had also been bidding for one of the 12 Euro 2020 hosting packages of three group-stage matches in the 24-team tournament, plus a single knockout match from the last-16 or quarterfinals rounds.
The tournament has previously been staged in a single country. Germany hosted the European Championship in 1988 and the World Cup in 1974 and 2006. England, which staged the 1966 World Cup, hosted the Euros in 1996 when Germany lifted the trophy.
The English Football Association couldn't be reached for comment on Wednesday, but general secretary Alex Horne said last week that he didn't envisage bidding for prestigious Euro 2020 games being a barrier to its Euro 2028 hopes.
Hamburg and Berlin are bidding to be German candidates for the Olympics in 2024 or 2028. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said on Tuesday he didn't see a problem with Germany hosting two major events in one year.
