FIFA considering allowing domestic league games to be played overseas

FIFA is considering the possibility of allowing domestic leagues to hold matches abroad, which could lead to English Premier League or Spanish La Liga games being played in the United States, the Middle East, or Asia.

On Wednesday, football's global governing body decided to establish a working group of 10-15 members to explore this concept and provide recommendations.

Both the Premier League and La Liga, known for their extensive international fan bases, have previously discussed the idea of hosting matches outside their home countries.

The new FIFA committee will collect additional information and present suggestions to the Council concerning potential changes to the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches (FRGIM).

The council, FIFA's primary decision-making body, stated that the group would evaluate various aspects of hosting matches overseas, including fan impact, competition balance, frequency of games, and overall effects on football.

Major European clubs frequently engage in lucrative exhibition matches worldwide, such as the upcoming Tottenham and Newcastle United game in Melbourne.

La Liga has expressed its intention to hold matches in North America by 2025. American broadcasters, in particular, are eager to capitalize on the growing popularity of the English topflight by hosting competitive games.

Despite previous obstacles, like FIFA regulations mandating league matches to be played in the home country, discussions about hosting high-profile matches like Arsenal v Manchester City or Real Madrid v Barcelona in the US have resurfaced.

Plans for a Premier League "39th game" abroad were abandoned in 2008 due to opposition from fans, FIFA, and UEFA. However, a recent legal challenge in the US prompted FIFA to reconsider its longstanding resistance to matches outside the league's territory.

Following the success of the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in elevating the status of women's football, FIFA will now deliberate on whether to grant the hosting rights for the 2027 tournament to Brazil or a collaborative bid from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.