Things look good, and if we can show we can host these massive occasions, let's go for it!

David Collins, FAW general secretary

The Millennium Stadium has already been touted as a possible venue for the 2008 championships final and has a capacity of 20,000 more than the Rotterdam stadium which hosted the recent Euro 2000 decider.

Discussing the progress of the proposed joint bid from Wales, Scotland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Collins said that the four associations had still not agreed a date for their next meeting.

He has welcomed Sports Minister Kate Hoey's support for the bid, however.

"Obviously it's great news, and ours is a very attractive proposition. None of the four countries could host 2008 separately, and the only way we can bring this massive event to our country is by making a joint bid," he said.

Sports Minister Kate Hoey has backed the joint bid

In the past, Uefa has been opposed to joint bids for the championships, but Irish Football Union chief executive Pat Quigley hopes Euro 2000 will help make the case for the Celtic alliance's bid:

"We've seen the success of Belgium and Holland in putting on Euro 2000, and with the World Cup going to Japan and Korea, I don't see why the Celtic countries can't put in a bid for 2008," he said.

The close proximity of the nations could be an advantage, with Quigley claiming, "It would be great for the game and an ideal situation for supporters."

More teams

If the bid were successful, it would mean four teams pre-qualifying for the tournament and Quigley says that "this is one of the hurdles we'll have to look at."

It is thought Austria, Hungary and Croatia are also preparing a joint bid, and this could mean expanding the championships, if such a bid were successful.

For Wales, co-hosting the tournament would mean a first ever appearance in the European Championships - unless Mark Hughes' team can qualify for Portugal 2004.

The FAW and its partners hope to bring Europe's finest to Wales

Uefa's criteria for host nations could prove to be a problem, however.

The host nation(s) would need to provide eight stadiums, each with a capacity of over 30,000, to accommodate the many thousands of travelling fans from all over Europe.

Scotland currently have four suitable arenas, Eire two and Wales just one, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The plan would then be to redevelop an existing stadium in one of the four countries - which could mean the Morfa stadium in Swansea.

This will be the subject of discussion, however, as Swansea's plans for the new Morfa stadium are only aimed at providing a capacity of 25,000.