UEFA: new dates and the calendar forced by the COVID-19

In light of the suspension of several national championships and the suspension of UEFA competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is devastating the world, UEFA has moved on to an extraordinary meeting and has already announced the new dates for the international and club competition calendar.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS

• The Euro 2020 play-off matches (initially scheduled for March 2020) will be postponed to the June 2020 international window, subject to further assessment.
• The final stage of the Euro 2020 (that should take place from June 12 to July 12, 2020) will be postponed to for the period from June 11 to July 11, 2021, in the same 12 European cities that would host the competition this year.
• Round 3 and 4 of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers (currently scheduled for June 2021) will be rescheduled.
• The final stage of the Nations League, of the U-21 European Championships and the Women's European Championships (all scheduled for June and July 2021) will be rescheduled.
• Clubs will release players to national teams in all rescheduled events.
• Postponing the Copa America to 2021. The South-American competition will be played between June 11 and July 11.

CLUB COMPETITIONS

• Commitment to complete all national and European club competitions by the end of this sports season, i.e. June 30, 2020 at the latest.
• Possible limitations or lack of dates in the current calendar, potentially leading to the scheduling of midweek national championship matches  and the scheduling of UEFA club competition matches at the weekend.
• Possible adjustments to the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds of 2020/21 in the event of late completion of the 2019/20 sports season, i.e. after June 30, 2020.