The UK & Ireland look set to host the European Championships in 2028, with Hampden Park in line for significant redevelopment.
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are bidding to host Euro 2028, with matches to be played in Glasgow.
The national stadium previously hosted matches at the 2020 edition, which was played at various locations across the continent.
The only other bid to host in 2028 comes from Turkey, who have stated their intention to host either that edition or the following one four years later.
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For the latter they were bidding against Italy, but Italian news agency ANSA reported on Friday, in news later confirmed by UEFA, that the two nations have decided on a joint bid.
Gabriele Gravina, the head of the FIGC (Italian FA), met with his counterpart from the Turkish federation, Mehmet Büyükekşi, in Rome this week.
It was decided that they would make a joint bid and, as they are the only two bidders, it now appears inevitable that Italy and Turkey will be awarded the tournament at a meeting of UEFA’s executive committee on October 10.
That would then leave the UK and Ireland bid for 2028 unopposed, assuming the new proposal meets bidding requirements and Turkey withdraw their solo bid. In its statement the FIGC referred to the five nations' bid as the likely destination for the tournament.
Mr Gravina said: "We're facing a historic turning point with the opportunity to enhance football on this continent.
"This project, in addition to bringing together two established nations in European football, enhances the values of friendship and cooperation, involving two lands characterised by deep historical roots, two cultures that, over the millennia, have inter-mingled and influenced in a substantial way the history of Mediterranean Europe.
"Football wants to be an ideal bridge for sharing the passions and emotions that are so inextricably tied to sport."
UEFA said in a statement: “UEFA confirms that it has received today a request from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to merge their individual bids into one joint bid to host UEFA EURO 2032.
“UEFA will now work with FIGC and TFF to ensure that the documentation to be submitted for their joint bid is compliant with the bidding requirements.”
The UK and Ireland had previously explored the possibility of hosting the World Cup in 2030 for its centenary edition.
However, it was announced in January 2022 that they would bid for the European Championships, and the following month it was officially confirmed the five nations would not bid to host the World Cup.
The bid is based on 10 cities hosting matches, including Glasgow.
Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London's Wembley Stadium will host matches in England, with Cardiff, Dublin and Belfast also staging games.
Everton's new stadium, which is currently being constructed, will play host to matches as will the 34,500-capacity Casement Park in Belfast which is also currently under construction.
Ian Maxwell, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, announced that Hampden would see significant redevelopments if the joint bid is successful.
The SFA recently purchased the national stadium from Queen's Park.
Mr Maxwell said: "We're always looking to improve the stadium and that happens alongside Euro 2028.
"Obviously as the stadium owner now, we want to make sure the supporter experience is as good as it can be.
"There will be some additions and improvements that are made as part of the Euro 28 bid and hopefully when we're successful, we will work out exactly what those will look like."
The bid team said in their submission the tournament could bring a combined £2.6billion worth of benefits to Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
While Scotland did host matches at Euro 2020, limited attendances meant the full benefit could not be gained.
Maxwell said: "We can't underestimate the impact that would have on Glasgow and Scotland in terms of growing and developing the game, which is our primary objective.
"There is no better way to engage an audience, and a young audience in particular, than seeing Europe's best male players coming to Hampden and participating in such an iconic tournament."
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