France will host Euro 2016 after finishing ahead of close rival Turkey and rank outsider Italy in a UEFA vote Friday. France President Nicolas Sarkozy appeared at the ceremony to support his country's bid as the French, who have also hosted two World Cups, were awarded the tournament for the third time. Turkey was bidding to host its first major football tournament while Italy's chances had been written off after a critical review of its bid following UEFA's inspection visits. Problems and delays in Poland and Ukraine, who will jointly host Euro 2012, may have persuaded UEFA's executive committee to avoid choosing Turkey, an untried country. The French budget for stadiums was 1.7 billion euros, of which 39 percent will come from public investment.
