UEFA has officially approved the staging of a La Liga and a Serie A match outside Europe — a move that has sparked widespread criticism among football supporters.
The decision allows Barcelona and Villarreal to play in Miami, USA, this December, while AC Milan will face Como in Perth, Australia, in February 2026.
The ruling comes after both the Spanish and Italian Football Federations formally applied to host the matches abroad. However, UEFA’s approval has been described as an “exceptional measure”, not a precedent for future games.
In a statement on Monday, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin acknowledged the controversy surrounding the move and emphasized that league fixtures should remain rooted in their home nations.
“League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements in competitions,” Ceferin stated.
“While it is regrettable to have to let these two games go ahead, this decision is exceptional and shall not be seen as setting a precedent. Our commitment is clear — to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”
Supporters’ groups across Spain and Italy have condemned the plan, arguing that hosting domestic league games overseas undermines local supporters and erodes the authenticity of the national competitions.
UEFA confirmed that its 55 national associations were consulted before making the decision, noting that the majority expressed reservations about the idea of playing league matches abroad.
The governing body also stated that national federations must now consult UEFA before submitting similar proposals in the future, as the organization continues to balance the sport’s global commercial interests with its traditional fan base.
The matches — Barcelona vs Villarreal in Miami and Milan vs Como in Perth — will mark the first time official top-flight European league games are played outside the continent under UEFA’s sanction.
