Four games had been due to take place in London and one in Mexico city, but the league has decided it is unfeasible to stage matches across international borders in the current climate.

It said the decision was made with the health of players, fans and all staff in mind, but that it intended to return to London and Mexico City in 2021.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins were set to be the home teams for the games played outside of the US, but their opposition was yet to be announced.

It was planned for the Jaguars to become the first team to play back-to-back games in London as the NFL continues to test the market for American football in the city.

Two of the London games would have been played at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium and two at Wembley, which is owned by the English Football Association (FA).

It will be the first time since 2007 that the NFL has not played at least one game in London.

The news is a financial blow for both the FA and Tottenham, which are already bracing to be hit hard by the financial downturn the pandemic is expected to bring.

Last month, FA chairman Greg Clarke estimated the pandemic would cost the organisation "in the range £150 million ($185 million/€170 million) upwards" over the next two years.

As for the NFL, it is set to release its 2020 schedule later this week, but must be concerned about the potential for the pandemic to impact the season further.

There have been almost 70,000 COVID-19 deaths in the US and while some states are loosening lockdown restrictions, others are not.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, for example, has said he does not expect to allow fans to attend sporting events in 2020.

There are four NFL teams in California.

In a bid to ensure a level playing field, the NFL has said that teams may only open their training facilities to players if local Government restrictions allow for all 32 teams to do so.