
Mark Bullingham
Mark was named as The FA’s Chief Executive Officer on 1 August 2019. Mark joined The FA in August 2016 and previously led the commercial, marketing, digital and participation functions at the organisation, where under his tenure annual revenue at The FA rose by over £100m. He previously held the position of CEO EMEA for Fuse Sports & Entertainment, responsible for running one of the fastest growing businesses in the sector. The team had grown quickly over five years to 245 across 17 offices with an annual fee income of over €28m. The client portfolio included ten of the top 30 global brands. Mark joined Fuse in 2011 from his position as Director of Marketing for the America’s Cup Event Authority in San Francisco, where he helped transform the global event. Mark has negotiated over $2bn of partnerships across a variety of platforms in sports, arts and music and is a qualified Level One coach involved in grassroots football.
The Football Association
The Football Association (FA) is the governing body of football in England and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game in the country. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world. The FA is headquartered at Wembley Stadium in London and is a member of both UEFA and FIFA, playing a significant role in the international football community.
The FA’s responsibilities include the organization and regulation of England’s national football team, the administration of major competitions such as the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield, and the development of football at all levels from grassroots to the elite. It sets the rules for the game in England, manages refereeing standards, and works on initiatives to improve coaching, youth development, and the overall health of the sport. The FA is also committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within football, aiming to ensure the sport is accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

England National Football Team
The England national football team, known as the Three Lions due to the emblem on their jerseys, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The team played its first international match against Scotland in 1872, making it one of the oldest national teams in the world. Throughout the early 20th century, England was recognized for its influential role in the development of modern football, but it wasn’t until after World War II that the team began competing in major international tournaments. England’s early years in FIFA World Cup competitions were disappointing, with the team failing to progress beyond the quarter-finals in the 1950s and early 1960s.
The pinnacle of England’s football achievements came in 1966 when the team won its first and only FIFA World Cup. Under the management of Sir Alf Ramsey and captained by Bobby Moore, England triumphed on home soil. The tournament is particularly remembered for the dramatic final held at Wembley Stadium, where England defeated West Germany 4-2 after extra time, thanks to a hat-trick by Geoff Hurst, the only player to score three goals in a World Cup final. This victory established England as a footballing power and remains the high point of its international success.
In the decades following the 1966 World Cup, England experienced a mix of highs and lows. The team reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy and the UEFA European Championship in 1996, also held in England, but often struggled to advance beyond the knockout stages in other tournaments. A new era of hope began in the 2010s, culminating in a strong performance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where England reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1990. This resurgence continued at UEFA Euro 2020, where England reached the final, ultimately losing to Italy in a penalty shootout. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talents, England remains a formidable force in international football, striving to add more silverware to its storied history.