FIFA is investigating the impact of playing domestic matches abroad

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, will set up a working group to look at the impact of playing competitive domestic matches abroad.

A legal settlement agreed between FIFA and match promoter Relevant Sports in the US has, in the words of Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, “opened the door” to playing league matches in several countries.

While the Premier League say they have no plans to do so, despite being the instigators of the infamous ’39th game’ idea during Richard Scudamore’s time at the helm, La Liga is already planning matches abroad for the 2025 season- 2026.

FIFA had previously opposed the idea, feeling it could take away valuable funding from domestic clubs.

But the issue was discussed at the Council meeting in Bangkok on Wednesday, where it was agreed to set up a working group to “gather further information and make recommendations” and also look at the impact on host countries.

Before making a decision, FIFA wants to address issues such as the amount of notification about match scheduling, the impact on the balance of the sports competition and the effect on the development of football in the host countries.

The council said any proposal must take into account several factors, including “whether adequate provision is made for fans of the teams playing a proposed match outside the territory to attend the match in the host country”.

Relevant Sports had sparked the idea of ​​playing overseas matches in the United States after the International Champions Cup was launched for the season. They also tried to organize an Ecuador League match in the United States in 2019, but that was blocked by FIFA.

Last summer she promoted the six-team Premier League summer series with Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Brighton, Fulham and Brentford.