ANKARA

European football's governing body has announced that Euro 2020 will be co-hosted by 13 different countries across the continent.

UEFA decided Friday at a board meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, that 12 of the host countries will have three group-stage matches and one knock-out round match, and the semi-finals and the final game will be played at the same venue.

The 13 host countries will participate in the qualifying competition, therefore they will not be will be automatically qualified.

Turkey's Istanbul is considered as one of the favourite venues for the final on the condition that it loses its bid to host the 2020 Olympics.

 
UEFA President Michel Platini had earlier said he would support Istanbul, reiterating his backing for the Turkish city again on Friday. 

"That would be my vote, but if they get the Olympic Games it's out of the question that they could stage the Euros or a match," he told reporters.