If FIFA gives final approval, this will be the first major European league match played abroad.
Barcelona’s La Liga game against Villarreal could take place overseas this December. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has already approved holding the match in the United States.
On Monday, the RFEF board gave the green light for the match to be played on December 20 at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The proposal will now be sent to UEFA, the governing body of European football, and will require final approval from FIFA.
Once FIFA grants the final go-ahead, this will mark the first time a major European league match is held outside Europe.
In recent years, Italian and Spanish Super Cup matches have been played abroad.
AC Milan is planning to play their Serie A match against Como in Perth, Australia, this February because the fixture clashes with the Winter Olympics opening ceremony near Milan’s San Siro stadium. However, Milan’s plan still awaits approval from FIFA, UEFA, Football Australia, and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
La Liga has been trying for several years to take league matches to the United States. Javier Tebas, the league president, has often spoken about this ambition.
In the 2018–19 season, La Liga planned to host a match between Barcelona and Girona in Miami, but the proposal fell through after opposition from the RFEF and the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE).
Attempts to hold Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid in the US in 2019–20 and Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid last year also failed.
Previously, FIFA rules did not allow domestic league matches to be played abroad, but this regulation was changed last year.
