GM football fans. It’s Tuesday, Oct. 7 - UEFA reluctantly approves European matches to be played abroad, the Women’s Champions League begins, and everything else you need to know. Forwarded this email? Sign up here.
TOP TALKING POINTS
Matches Abroad Approved
UEFA has approved a landmark move allowing Spanish and Italian league matches to be played abroad, while reiterating its “clear opposition” to the idea. President Aleksander Ceferin called the decision “regrettable”, adding that “league matches should be played on home soil”, though he insists approval will not set a precedent. Last month, Ceferin admitted Uefa had limited avenues to quash attempts to play domestic league matches abroad.
The approval paves the way for this season to become the first time that a regular-season European league game will be held overseas. La Liga plans to stage December’s fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, Florida, while Serie A aims to host February’s fixture between AC Milan and Como in Perth, Australia.
Meanwhile, the German Football League (DFL) has ruled out moving any Bundesliga matches abroad. The Premier League previously explored a “39th game” abroad but dropped the idea amid fan backlash and FA opposition.
Women’s Champions League
The new-look league phase of the Uefa Women’s Champions League begins on Tuesday (Oct 7) and Wednesday. The expanded 18-team format replaces the previous 16-team group stage. Each team will play six matches, with the top four advancing directly to the quarter-finals and those finishing fifth to twelfth entering February’s play-off round for the remaining spots.
On Tuesday, holders Arsenal will face eight-time champions OL Lyonnes, who will play their first Champions League under their new name. OL have won all four past trips to the Gunners. Barcelona, who equalled OL’s record by reaching a fifth straight final last season, host Bayern Munich. Bayern won their last meeting with Barcelona 3-1 in the 2022-23 group stage, having lost 3-0 at Camp Nou a fortnight before. Elsewhere, Benfica travel to Juventus and Paris FC host OH Leuven.
Wednesday sees Chelsea, who completed an unbeaten domestic treble last season, face Twente away from home. Another standout fixture is Wolfsburg vs Paris Saint-Germain, their earliest-ever meeting in the competition. Meanwhile, Manchester United host Valerenga, Real Madrid welcome Roma, and Atletico Madrid travel to St Polten.
See all the confirmed squads here.
Regulator Chair Confirmed
David Kogan has been appointed as the first chair of English football’s new independent regulator. He has held senior positions in television and sport during a 45-year career, having negotiated multi-billion-pound broadcast rights deals for the Premier League, EFL, and other major organisations.
His appointment follows an inquiry prompted by Conservative MPs after it was revealed that Kogan had donated to Labour Party leadership campaigns, including those of Sir Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy. The donations were each below £1,500, though Kogan and his company had also made larger contributions to other Labour MPs ahead of last year’s general election.
Kogan’s primary remit is to strengthen financial governance across the English football pyramid. His first major task will be to oversee negotiations between the Premier League and the EFL on a new long-term funding agreement.
POLL
Do you think domestic league matches should ever be played abroad?
ON THE BALL
Europe
> Rangers have sacked manager Russell Martin after four months in charge; across all competitions, his side won five of 17 matches, drawing six, and losing six (More)
> Mohamed Salah's "work ethic" has been questionable during Liverpool's recent dip in form, says Wayne Rooney (More) | Arsenal confirmed that captain Martin Odegaard has suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury to his left knee and has withdrawn from the Norway squad (More)
> Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish, and Phil Foden have all missed out on selection for England's October internationals with Thomas Tuchel (More); Reece James has been ruled out due to an injury as Nico O’Reilly takes his spot (More)
Americas
> In the MLS, Denis Bouanga scored in his sixth consecutive match in Los Angeles FC’s 1-0 victory over Atlanta United for its fifth consecutive victory (More); see MLS standings (More)
> The 2025 NWSL trade window officially closes on Thursday (Oct 9) as teams look to bolster squads before the post-season; see all trades with a live tracker (More)
> Monterrey drop points in Liga MX in their 2-2 away draw with Club Tijuana, missing an opportunity to go level with league leaders Toluca (Table)
Rest of the World
> Africa’s group qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup conclude over the next week, providing seven more finalists for the tournament; see the teams that can still claim a spot (More)
> Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro has been appointed Uzbekistan head coach ahead of their first appearance at a World Cup finals next year (More)
ROUTERS’ VOICE
Yesterday’s Poll: Ahead of the second international break, do you think Arsenal are favourites to win the Premier League?
🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🔴 Yes (32%)
🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🙅♂️ Nope (66%)
🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (2%)
Your punditry takes:
🔴 A.G.P: “Anyone saying ‘Nope’ is not being objective. Arsenal have the best squad depth by far, an incredible back four and GK with many options available for rotation. Plus, Liverpool losing Alisson for a few weeks and their shaky defence in the league so far causes large concerns there.”
🔴 K.S: “Arsenal have so much depth. They've battled with injuries but have shown this season that it won't slow them down as much. They are ready to battle both domestically and on the European front.”
🙅♂️ J.G.C: “As in the last few years, they start off like running away with the league but then fall off and end up runners or somewhere else.”
🙅♂️ S.E: “It's too early to tell. Many clubs have shown great improvements this year. Any of the top 4 teams can win it. It will be a very close title race.”
✍️ M.A.H: “A good rule is that no real predictions can be made until Matchday 10 concludes.”
EXTRA TIME
BBC’s Premier League team of the week.
… and Martinelli won MOTD’s goal of the month.
What went wrong for the shortest-serving Rangers manager?
When Robbie Keane’s son didn’t want to just be a mascot.
Are football academies worth the investment? (video)
ESPN updates its MLS power ranking.
GAME FACE ON
Who Am I…
I have won four Premier League title, two FA Cups, and five League Cups.
I am the quickest player to reach 200 wins in the Premier League.
I retired in 2023 after having made 74 appearances for Real Sociedad.
Scroll below for the answer.
ON TODAY
UEFA Women’s Champions League
Juventus vs. SL Benfica (17:45)
Arsenal vs. OL Lyonnes (20:00)
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich (20:00)
Paris FC vs. OH Leuven (20:00)
*All times in UK. ET -5. CDT -6. PDT -8. MDT -7. CET +1.
Answer
David Silva.
Daily Wordle: Guess the football-related word, from player names to classic phrases, in six tries or fewer. Play it here.
Sometimes in football you have to score goals.
