UEFA has granted permission to two national federations to host domestic league matches abroad, but says it isn’t happy about it.
The Spanish and Italian national federations petitioned UEFA to host matches this season in the U.S. and Australia, respectively. Spain’s top league has been vying for a game in Miami since 2018.
UEFA has opposed these efforts, but on Monday blamed “regulatory gaps” in FIFA rules, which the organization is reviewing amid several legal rulings against FIFA and UEFA. The European soccer governing body announced its executive committee has “reluctantly” approved the requests “on an exceptional basis,” and said the confederation will continue to work toward rules that “uphold the integrity of domestic competitions.”
“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,” UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said in a statement Monday. “Our commitment is clear: to protect the integrity of national leagues and ensure that football remains anchored in its home environment.”
The Spaniards requested Barcelona and Villarreal to play in Miami in December, while the Italians proposed a bout between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia in February 2026.
The Spanish federation approved LaLiga’s request to move the match to Miami in August. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross’s international soccer promoter Relevent Sports has worked with LaLiga to bring a game to Miami for years, but faced resistance from the Spanish federation and FIFA, as well as filed and settled a lawsuit with the U.S. Soccer Federation. The Italian federation also green-lit Serie A’s plan this summer. Last month, UEFA punted on making a decision about the games.
If it receives final approval from FIFA, the Barcelona-Villarreal match will be played at the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium. The Spanish league game is currently scheduled for Dec. 21, the same day the Dolphins host the Bengals for Sunday Night Football, but the Spanish federation has said the match will be moved a day earlier if it is played in Miami.
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