In a potentially historic and landscape-changing move for European football, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has reportedly approved a request to hold an official La Liga match in the United States.
The proposed fixture would be the league encounter between FC Barcelona and Villarreal. Instead of being played in Spain, the match would be relocated to Miami, Florida, in a move jointly submitted by both clubs in a bid to expand the global reach and brand of the Spanish top flight.
The approval from the RFEF marks a significant and crucial first step. For years, La Liga has attempted to stage a competitive match in the USA but has consistently faced opposition from various footballing bodies, including the federation itself. Gaining the backing of the RFEF is a major hurdle that has now been overcome.
However, the groundbreaking plan is not yet finalized. The RFEF will now formally forward the request to the continental and global governing bodies, UEFA and FIFA, who will ultimately have the final say on whether the match can go ahead.
This move is part of a wider strategy by top European leagues to tap into the lucrative and rapidly growing American soccer market, especially in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Staging a competitive, meaningful league game abroad, rather than just a pre-season friendly, is seen as the ultimate way to engage and captivate international fans.
While the final approval from UEFA and FIFA is not guaranteed—with player unions also likely to voice opinions—the decision by the Spanish FA is a landmark moment. All eyes will now turn to the international governing bodies to see if they will sanction this groundbreaking proposal to take La Liga across the Atlantic.