Arabic version: بيليتشيك يرحّب بالتوسع العالمي لدوري كرة القدم الأميركية في دبلن

According to BBC News, six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick said a potential European NFL franchise is a matter for the league and commissioner Roger Goodell, while welcoming American football’s global growth.

Belichick spoke in Dublin before Saturday’s American College Classic, in which his North Carolina Tar Heels will face Texas Christian University in the opening round of the season. NFL games are regularly staged across Europe and the league has an international player pathway, although all 32 franchises remain based in the United States.

The 74-year-old said the NFL was focused on building a global brand, pointing to its schedule and the enthusiasm he had experienced at international games. He said college football was also expanding through the Dublin game and described that as positive for the sport.

Belichick noted that the Jacksonville Jaguars had previously explored relocating to London and Wembley before remaining in Florida and building a new stadium. He said travel would be an adjustment for a European franchise, but compared the journey with trips between the US east coast and cities such as Los Angeles or Seattle.

After 23 years with the New England Patriots, where he won six Super Bowls, Belichick became North Carolina head coach in 2025. He said it was important to give back to a game that had been good to him and his family, citing local teams and leagues in countries including Croatia and Germany. Asked about a possible NFL coaching return, he said his focus was on helping the players he recruited at North Carolina.