UEFA has issued a strong warning to all 55 of its member federations, stressing that prior approval must be obtained before scheduling domestic league fixtures outside Europe. The intervention comes amid high-profile plans to host AC Milan vs Como in Australia and Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami later this year—moves that have ignited heated debate across the football world.

In a letter obtained by Sport Bild, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin described the issue as “a complex matter with far-reaching implications,” noting that staging league games abroad affects not just the clubs involved but the entire European football ecosystem. He wrote: “This is a complex matter with far-reaching implications beyond the affected associations, and it is currently being reviewed at a global level. Given the sensitivity of this matter, I ask that your association first consult with UEFA regarding any such requests before granting approval and submitting it for formal review.” The final decision is expected at the UEFA Executive Committee meeting in December.

The proposal has split opinion within football. German Football League chief Hans-Joachim Watzke voiced firm opposition, insisting: “As long as I am in charge of the league, there will be no competitive matches abroad.” Como coach Cesc Fàbregas also criticized the idea, calling it unfair to local supporters. On the other hand, Fernando Carro, a supervisory board member of the DFL, expressed openness to taking the German Supercup overseas, arguing it could drive global growth. With federations divided and UEFA’s stance clear, the battle over football’s globalization is set to dominate discussions in the coming months.

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