Perth, Australia – AC Milan will play a Serie A match against Como in perth, Australia, in February 2026, marking a historic first for a major European football league. The decision, greenlit by UEFA on Monday with “a heavy heart,” alongside a Villarreal vs. Barcelona match slated for Miami, is already drawing criticism from players.
Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot voiced his disbelief,calling the plan “absolutely crazy.” “There are financial agreements to ensure the league has a certain level of visibility, but all this is out of our control,” Rabiot told Le Figaro on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, as reported by The Athletic. “It’s crazy to travel thousands of kilometers to play a match between two Italian teams in Australia. We have to adapt. As usual. There is a lot of talk about schedules and player health, but all this feels very absurd.”
The Serie A match and the Barcelona-Villarreal game require final approval from FIFA. Previously,only Super Cups – like the Italian and Spanish versions - have been held outside of their respective countries. The Barcelona match is scheduled for December.
The move comes after the German Bundesliga (DFL) rejected similar proposals, and the English Premier League faced opposition from FIFA and fans when considering overseas matches in 2008.
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