Tyrone Mings Reveals The One Foreign Player He Wishes Played For England

Tyrone Mings has named the one foreign footballer he wishes played for England at the official launch for Euro 2028.

The United Kingdom and Ireland will jointly host the next edition of the Euros, with matches to be staged in England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

England and Aston Villa star Mings is on the board of directors for organising body UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, having been appointed as one of three non-executive members working with FA Chair Debbie Hewitt to help deliver the tournament.

Mings, who has won 18 caps for England, was part of Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2020 – where they were beaten on penalties by Italy in the final at Wembley.

England suffered yet more heartbreak at Euro 2024 in Germany, losing 2-1 to Spain in Southgate’s final match in charge of the national side.

England are set to head into the next Euros as one of the favourites to win, having already booked their spot at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Speaking to SPORTbible at the Euro 2028 launch event alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Mings said he expected Spain to once again be England’s most likely challengers for silverware.

PM Sir Keir Starmer helped launch Euro 2028 at No 10 Downing Street (Image: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing)

"I'm going to go with Spain. I think if you look at the last Euros, they were probably the best team in it and the Spanish just have a habit of churning out elite talent," he said.

"We've taken a lot of influence from the Spanish game in the English game as you see it today. But I think every tournament that we go into, we have faith and confidence that we’re going to win.

"The difference now is because of the platform [set by] previous England players and managers, the bar that they’ve set with getting to finals and deep in tournaments, it means that we now have something to back that up and think we can actually mix it with the best.

"I'm certainly confident that we can go into the World Cup and the Euros and be successful."

When asked to name the one player in world football he wished played for England instead of their national side, Mings snubbed the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – instead naming Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal, who starred for Spain in their triumph at Euro 2024.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, Mings and Starmer at the Euro 2028 launch event (Image: Getty)

"I'm going to go for Yamal," said Mings.

"I don't mean that I want to kick an England winger out of the team, but he is so young and experienced so much so early in his career, even in 10 years when he’s 27, 28 he’s still going to much such a good player and in his prime.

"So for longevity, I'm going to go for Yamal."

As part of the Euro 2028 launch, UEFA confirmed the full match schedule for the tournament.

The opening game will take place at the National Stadium of Wales, Cardiff, on June 9, 2028, while the final will be held at Wembley on July 9, 2028.

Meanwhile, Belfast in Northern Ireland has been confirmed as the host for the Euro 2028 qualifying draw on December 6, 2026.