UEFA People stories: Domenico - The one decision that changed my career at UEFA forever
mercoledì 25 febbraio 2026
Intro articolo
When Domenico left Canada to volunteer at EURO 2008, he had no idea it would mark the start of an 18‑year journey at the heart of European football.
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Corpo articolo
We sat down with Domenico Tropea, pictured above right, Football Services Manager at UEFA, to talk about how a six‑month volunteer role for EURO 2008 unexpectedly launched his career at UEFA.
Q: Domenico, your UEFA story started in a pretty unconventional way. How did it all begin?
A: I was born and raised in Canada to Italian parents, and after finishing my finance degree, I planned a European trip hoping to get some experience in sports. I had worked at the FIFA Under‑20 World Cup in Canada in 2007 and wanted more of that excitement. When I saw an opportunity to volunteer at UEFA EURO 2008, I applied on a whim. I thought it would be an adventure, I had no idea it would change my life.
Q: What was your first volunteering experience like?
A: Far from glamorous. I started by handing out lunch vouchers. But I was eager to learn, so I kept asking for more responsibility. Eventually, I was supporting match operations, right at the heart of the tournament.
"I thought it would be an adventure; I had no idea it would change my life."
I even arrived a month early to help set up the volunteer centre. That meant living in a quirky converted shed in an Austrian lady’s backyard. But I didn’t care. I wanted to be involved.
I still remember being in this tiny storage room, pumping match balls and making video diaries of myself wearing the warm‑up bibs. I was soaking everything in. That experience taught me that motivation, enthusiasm and ambition open doors.
Q: Was there a moment when you thought things might not work out?
A: Oh yes...On the first matchday, I slept through my alarm. I thought I’d blown it. But the match director gave me a second chance. That moment changed everything for me. It made me even more determined to prove myself.
Q: How did volunteering turn into a full‑time career at UEFA?
A: After the tournament, I applied for a six‑month contract at UEFA. Lo and behold, I was selected. I must have made a good impression, because that six‑month contract turned into 16 years.
Today, I work in UEFA’s Football Division, leading football operations for major club finals: the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Women’s Champions League, the Super Cup and preparing for EURO 2028 and Women's EURO 2029. From volunteering in Klagenfurt to standing pitch-side signalling the kick-off for the EURO 2024 final… it’s been quite a journey.
"After the tournament, I applied for a six‑month contract at UEFA. Lo and behold, I was selected."
Q: You’ve described your career as coming “full circle” – what did you mean by that?
A: In 2008, I was a volunteer supporting a match director. In 2016, I became a match manager for the first time at Stade de France. And in 2024, I was assigned as match manager in Berlin, one of the main stadiums, which hosted the final between Spain and England.
I still remember taking photos in my volunteer kit back in 2008, dreaming of one day doing this job. Standing in Berlin in 2024, delivering at the highest level, felt like everything had come full circle.
Q: What skills did volunteering give you that you still use today?
A: Adaptability, teamwork, problem‑solving, resilience - all of it. Being solution‑oriented is incredibly valued in this industry. Volunteering forces you to be flexible and agile, and those skills stay with you.
There are many paths into sports, but volunteering is one of the most accessible and impactful. It gives you real‑world experience and helps you build connections that matter.
"There are many paths into sports, but volunteering is one of the most accessible and impactful."
Q: You’ve mentioned how important volunteers are to you now. How do you give back?
A: I’m proud of my volunteer roots and I make it a point to support volunteers today. Many who worked with me at EURO 2016 have gone on to join UEFA events across Europe. If you’re motivated and eager, opportunities will find you. I’ve lived that myself.
Q: Finally, what advice would you give to someone dreaming of a career in sports?
A: Start by volunteering. I got into the industry through the back door, and volunteering gave me real‑life experience and insights that changed my life. It might just change yours too.