Barcelona's American dream is over! La Liga postpone controversial plans to hold Barca vs Atletico Madrid in USA

According to The Guardian, the ambitious plan to hold the high-profile fixture between the two Spanish giants across the Atlantic has been put on hold for now. Initially scheduled to take place on December 22 in Miami, the match would have been Barcelona’s 'home' fixture, aiming to bring a taste of Spanish football to an American audience. However, logistical hurdles and a lack of required approvals have forced La Liga to halt these plans.

For the game to move forward, La Liga required consent from FIFA, UEFA, and the Spanish Football Association. However, time has run out for such permissions to be granted before December. Sources told The Guardian that while La Liga is not abandoning its international ambitions, it has accepted that this particular match will not be held abroad. But a fresh attempt to stage a match overseas is expected in the 2025-26 season, with La Liga president Javier Tebas extremely keen on the idea.

FIFA’s stance on domestic league matches being played abroad has been a longstanding obstacle. Six years ago, La Liga and its event partner, Relevent Sports, attempted to host a Girona vs Barcelona game in Miami, only to have the proposal blocked. The fallout led to a lawsuit, which was resolved earlier this year. As part of the settlement, FIFA agreed to review its policy on league matches in foreign territories, sparking hope among leagues of holding such events in other countries.

As football continues to grow as a global spectacle, leagues will undoubtedly seek new ways to engage international fans. English football clubs have also established a strong foothold in North America, leveraging pre-season tours and high-profile branding to dominate the market. Although there are no immediate plans to host an English top-flight game in the States, it remains a probability for the future.