In response to the growing interest in playing competitive domestic matches overseas, FIFA, the world governing body for football, is taking steps to evaluate the potential impacts of such initiatives. This decision comes after a legal settlement between FIFA and match promoter Relevant Sports in the USA, which Premier League chief executive Richard Masters described as leaving “the door ajar” for league games to be played in different countries.
While the Premier League has stated that it currently has no plans to pursue overseas matches, La Liga has already begun making preparations for the 2025-26 campaign to include fixtures outside of Spain. This marks a revival of La Liga’s previous plans, which were initially disrupted when Barcelona’s league match against Girona in 2019, scheduled to be held in Miami, was canceled.
FIFA’s historical opposition to the idea of overseas matches stemmed from concerns that such ventures could divert valuable financial resources away from domestic clubs. However, during FIFA’s Council meeting in Bangkok, discussions led to an agreement to establish a working group tasked with gathering additional information and issuing recommendations on the matter. This group will also examine the potential impacts on the host countries.
Key considerations that FIFA aims to address before making any decisions include the scheduling of matches, the impact on the sporting competition’s integrity, and the implications for football development in the host countries. Specifically, FIFA is keen to ensure that any proposal adequately addresses factors such as the notice provided for scheduling matches and the ability of fans from the participating teams to attend matches held in the host country.
Relevant Sports, a prominent match promoter, has been instrumental in advocating for overseas matches, particularly in the United States. The organization previously launched the pre-season International Champions Cup and attempted to host an Ecuador League game in the United States in 2019, although this effort was blocked by FIFA.
In addition to these endeavors, Relevant Sports organized the six-team Premier League summer series last summer, featuring clubs such as Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Fulham, and Brentford. These initiatives underscore Relevant Sports’ commitment to expanding football’s reach beyond traditional borders, prompting FIFA to carefully consider the implications of such ventures on the sport’s global landscape.
[wpupg-grid id=articles]