'Landmark moment for La Liga and for world football - Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona poised for historic league match in Miami

The historic initiative cleared a hurdle this week when UEFA reluctantly granted permission for the match to move forward, a crucial step in La Liga's years-long effort to bring Spanish league matches to international markets. 

The December fixture, originally scheduled to be played at Villarreal's Estadio de la Cerámica, would be significant both for the league and soccer fans in the U.S.

LaLiga president Javier Tebas told ESPN that the plans are "practically finalized." ESPN also reported that U.S. Soccer has approved the game in Miami, with only CONCACAF still needing to sign off.

UEFA had said it was in "clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country," but that FIFA's regulatory framework is not clear and detailed enough for the requests to be rejected.

Those regulations are being reviewed by a working group put together by FIFA, with UEFA pledging to update them to avoid games being relocated in the future.

Tebas described the move as a defining development for both the league and the sport worldwide, emphasizing Spain’s role as a global soccer leader and highlighting the support of key institutions in making the venture possible.

“This is a landmark moment for La Liga and for world football,” Tebas said in a statement. “By bringing an official match to the United States, we are not only connecting with millions of fans across North America, but also reinforcing Spain’s leadership as a global soccer powerhouse. With the support of all relevant institutions, this initiative is bold, historic, and designed to inspire both our fans abroad and those at home in Spain.”

The selection of Miami for this potentially historic match underscores the strategic importance of the North American market for global soccer, particularly with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.

"We are looking forward to reconnecting with all our fans in the United States and are grateful to LALIGA for the opportunity to get closer to one of the Club's key strategic markets,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said, according to ESPN. “We have been visiting the country for many years and have always felt the passion that FC Barcelona inspires. As a global club with millions of supporters around the world, this opportunity strengthens our commitment to our international fan base - especially in a key market like the U.S.

"An official match in a city like Miami, with such a strong Barça community, will undoubtedly be a great spectacle featuring two teams competing at the highest level."

Contingent on receiving the necessary approvals, fans would be able to register for tickets, with an exclusive pre-sale beginning Oct. 21. General public ticket sales would commence on Oct. 22. The match would be broadcast globally through La Liga's existing broadcast partners and would air in English and Spanish on ESPN.