Istanbul: UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin on Wednesday emphasized the strategic importance of UEFA's new Istanbul office in preparing for what he hopes will be 'the best European Championship ever' in 2032, which will be co-hosted by Trkiye and Italy.

According to Anadolu Agency, Ceferin spoke at a gala dinner held at the historic Ciragan Palace in Istanbul ahead of the office's official opening on Thursday. He praised Trkiye's deep footballing culture, infrastructure, and successful track record in hosting major sporting events.

Ceferin remarked on the pleasant experience of visiting Trkiye and Istanbul, noting the city's unique position as the only city in the world that connects two continents. He mentioned that Istanbul always feels like home, appreciating its rich history.

The UEFA chief highlighted that the new office, developed in collaboration with the Turkish Football Federation, symbolizes UEFA's intent to strengthen ties with Trkiye and ensure the successful delivery of EURO 2032. He expressed the desire to share UEFA's experience and work closely with the Turkish Football Federation to achieve this goal.

Trkiye and Italy are set to co-host the 2032 UEFA European Football Championship, and Ceferin expressed hope for a dream final between the two host nations. He also commended Trkiye's consistent efforts in organizing world-class football events, citing the country's history of hosting significant football matches, including the UEFA Champions League final in 2023.

Ceferin mentioned upcoming events in Trkiye, such as the Europa League final in 2026 and the Conference League final in 2027, expressing hope that Turkish clubs might participate in these finals.