England defender Tyrone Mings will reportedly combine playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa with organising Euro 2028. The 32-year-old is understood to be set for a role on the board of directors for the tournament, which will be held in the UK and Ireland.
Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt will name the board next week. It will come a little over three years before England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland host the European Championship. The joint bid was confirmed as the winner in October 2023 when it was left as the only contender after Turkey pulled out of the process to focus on bidding for Euro 2032.
According to the Telegraph, Mings has been identified for a role on the board. He is set to be named when Hewitt announces the line-up in the coming days.
Mings will be 35 by the time the tournament starts and, if his appointment is formalised, he will spend the next three years combining his Premier League duties with organising the tournament. The centre-back has won 18 England caps but has not played for the Three Lions since a 4-0 victory over Malta in June 2023.
The former Ipswich and Bournemouth star owns an interior design company and has worked on charitable projects during his career. He most prominently backed a Prince William initiative to end homelessness, having experienced homelessness as a child.
Mings was once named in Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ list to recognise “young visionaries”.
The report adds that Mings will be the most high-profile active player on the board. His experience playing for England – having featured at Euro 2020 – means he will be able to put forward ideas from the point of view of a player who has competed in international tournaments.
Chief executives from the FAs involved in the hosting of the tournament will sit on the board. There will also be non-executive members who come together to help organise the tournament. There will be 51 games played across the UK and Ireland in a month-long competition in the summer of 2028.
Ten stadiums were initially earmarked to host the matches but Northern Ireland’s Casement Park has since been stripped of the privilege. The government said it cannot commit the funds to redevelop the derelict venue to have it ready in time for Euro 2028.
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, which has opened its doors for test events ahead of hosting the Toffees’ Premier League matches next season, will also be used. However, Anfield and Old Trafford were not selected.
