The board of directors for the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has initiated the process for hosting the December La Liga match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, as confirmed by ESPN. La Liga has been pursuing the idea of staging competitive matches in the United States for some time, with President Javier Tebas aiming for this to happen in the 2025-26 season.
Attempts were made to hold a match between Girona and Barcelona in Miami back in 2018, but those plans fell through due to opposition from RFEF and FIFA. Recently, a spokesperson from the RFEF communicated with ESPN that the board meeting on Monday had approved the request to start the necessary procedures with FIFA for the upcoming match involving Barcelona.
Both FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation have historically opposed holding competitive La Liga games in the United States, citing past legal challenges involving various stakeholders in soccer. However, a settlement was reached in April, allowing discussions to move forward. For such overseas matches to take place, approvals are needed from the relevant governing bodies, including UEFA and CONCACAF, as well as RFEF and USSF.
The RFEF board’s recent decision to present this matter to UEFA marks an important first step. Past objections to the Spanish Federation’s plans occurred during Luis Rubiales’ presidency, who had several contentious interactions with La Liga and Tebas. Following Rubiales’ resignation in 2023 after the controversy following the Women’s World Cup final, his successor Rafael Luzon has taken a more conciliatory stance toward the league.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it represents a broader effort to globalize the sport and engage American fans more deeply. The successful execution of such matches could pave the way for more international exposure for La Liga and foster a new generation of fans in the U.S.
