Four Italian clubs, including trio of Serie A outfits, reportedly linked with pre-season games in Perth

A quartet of Italian football sides have been linked with a series of pre-season games in Perth. Gazzetta dello Sport has reported AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan are all in line to head to Australia after this year’s FIFA World Cup for a pre-season tour. The Italian publication also reported the trio of Serie A giants, who have won 75 ‘Scudettos’ (Italian titles) between them, would be joined by former top division outfit Palermo for a series of pre-season friendlies in Australia. It would be AC Milan’s third trip to WA since 2024, but their first since a controversial and high-profile plan to stage a competitive league game in Perth was called off. Juventus were last in Australia in 2016, while Inter have not previously journeyed down under, with Gazzetta dello Sport reporting both could play in Perth. Currently fifth in Serie A, Juventus teased a tour to Hong Kong and Australia on social media last month. “The WA Government’s major events strategy is all about boosting our local economy, supporting local jobs and backing our tourism and hospitality industries,” a State Government spokesman told The West Australian. “WA’s major event success has also given local fans incredible experiences, inspired young kids and put Perth on the global events map. “Our economic strategy has leveraged international football and its strengths as a driver of tourism. We welcome the global interest in Western Australia and what major event might be next.” Having previously played AS Roma at Optus Stadium and Perth Glory at HBF Park in consecutive years, Milan would make it three games in as many years if they came. The giants were in negotiations with fellow Serie A side Como and the State Government to play a world-first Italian league match on foreign soil in February due to the unavailability of their stadium San Siro as it was hosting the Winter Olympics. While fans of both clubs hit out at the plan, the game looked to be moving towards a green-light — until the continental governing body Asian Football Confederation imposed a list of strict conditions on the proposal, which eventually forced the cancellation of the match two months before it would have gone ahead.