UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) approved on Monday (6), “reluctantly” and “exceptionally”, requests from the leagues of Spain and Italy to take two games to the United States and Australia, respectively, something unprecedented in the world of football.
In a statement, the entity’s executive committee reiterates, however, “its opposition to National League games played abroad” and undertakes to contribute “FIFA’s continuous work” to establish rigid rules in this regard.
As requests from the Spanish and Italian federations were made before the start of the season, the Villarreal vs Barcelona game could be played on December 20 in Miami, and the Milan X confrontation as in Perth in early February 2026.
The green light given by UEFA is not a surprise. Its president, Aleksander Ceferin, admitted in early September that there was a breach since FIFA began in May this year a review of its rules that prohibit national league games outside their home countries.
The European Confederation explained on Monday that “the FIFA regulation-currently in the process of revision-is not clear enough and detailed” so as not to meet these requests.
“Although it is unfortunate having to allow these two matches to happen, this decision is exceptional and should not be considered a precedent,” said Uefa.
“Our commitment of course: protecting the integrity of national leagues and ensuring that football remains rooted in its environment of origin,” promised Ceferin, quoted in the statement.
Driven by the Spanish League about ten years ago for commercial reasons, the possibility of transferring games generated strong opposition from fans in early September.
The Italians, in turn, justify their transfer request for the fact that the match between Milan and how to coincide with the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortin 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
