The plan to ship Christian Pulisic’s Milan midway internationally for a historic Serie A fixture has surprised followers, irritated ultras, and compelled European soccer to rethink what home video games ought to seem like. But beneath the hype surrounding Milan versus Como in Australia lies a deeper concern — a bureaucratic impediment nonetheless unresolved, and an impending determination that might decide whether or not this match turns into a landmark second or collapses fully. And on the coronary heart of the uncertainty sits FIFA, the one group able to clearing the trail or blocking it altogether.
UEFA has already shocked traditionalists by approving Milan’s request, formally granting permission for the primary Serie A match in historical past to be performed outdoors Italy. The governing physique framed the choice with reluctance, reminding golf equipment of the long-standing precept that home video games belong on dwelling soil.
Aleksander Ceferin, UEFA’s president, struck a agency but resigned tone. “League matches needs to be performed on dwelling soil; the rest would disenfranchise loyal match-going followers and probably introduce distortive components in competitions… this determination is phenomenal and shall not be seen as setting a precedent.”
Regardless of the warnings, the plan surged ahead — however solely via necessity. San Siro shall be unavailable in February 2026 as a result of it should host the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. With no viable stadium close by, the league proposed a radical various. Australia, with Perth desperate to host, stepped in.
The political and monetary engine driving Perth’s bid
Italian Sports activities Minister Andrea Abodi embraced the proposal. He argued that, given the stadium emergency, the fixture overseas represents alternative as a lot as compromise. “Milan–Como in Australia might be essentially the most appropriate resolution for the golf equipment,” Abodi mentioned. “It’s a good alternative to advertise Italian soccer… worldwide revenues are 1 / 4 of home ones, one thing is clearly improper.”
Perth’s native authorities provided $14 million to host the sport — a big monetary enhance, with Milan receiving the most important share, and a portion of the funds distributed to different Serie A golf equipment. The match would happen at Optus Stadium, a contemporary 65,000-seat venue that may convert seamlessly to a soccer pitch.
Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates with teammate Rafael Leao
UEFA, FIGC, Australia… however nonetheless not sufficient
Regardless of the turbulence, a number of key approvals have already been secured: The Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) licensed the fixture, UEFA granted its uncommon exception, and the Australian Soccer Federation (AFF) and Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) signaled provisional approval — although with strict circumstances nonetheless beneath assessment. However “provisional approval” is the important thing phrase. As a result of one signature — an important of all of them — stays lacking.
A number of Italian shops, together with Corriere della Sera and La Gazzetta dello Sport, verify the identical unresolved challenge: The match can’t be formally moved overseas till FIFA provides the ultimate, binding approval. Based on Corriere, whereas the Asian Soccer Confederation has proven “a small signal of openness,” the authorization nonetheless is determined by satisfying a fancy listing of regulatory and business necessities. Solely after this stage can the proposal be forwarded to FIFA. Proper now, it’s FIFA’s file that determines whether or not the sport will really occur.
