Football News | Opposition to La Liga's plans to play game in United States

A very controversial announcement from La Liga 

Villarreal’s league match against Barcelona in December could become the first European league fixture to be played abroad.

Author | Jack L

A classic La Liga match between the sides 

Spain’s football federation approved plans to move the game to the United States.

The RFEF will now seek permission from Fifa and Uefa to stage the match at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, which is due to host seven games at the 2026 World Cup. The fixture is currently scheduled for 21 December at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Cerámica.

The proposal has met strong resistance from supporters. Spain’s football fans’ association, FASFE, has joined with Barcelona and Villarreal fan groups to express “absolute, total and firm opposition” to the move. They have urged the federation and the national sports council to “stop this madness” and warned they would take legal action if the plan is approved.

READ MORE | News and stories from European Super Football 

Although Spanish and Italian Super Cups have been played overseas in recent years, regular league fixtures abroad remain a divisive issue. AC Milan are considering playing their Serie A game against Como in Perth in February because the San Siro will host the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, but the move still requires approval from Fifa, Uefa, Football Australia and the Asian Football Confederation.

Fifa rules currently prohibit domestic league matches being held outside their home country, although the governing body set up a working group last year to review the policy. La Liga has previously attempted to take games to Miami, including proposed fixtures between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in 2023, and Barcelona and Girona in 2019, but both were scrapped following opposition from the RFEF and the players’ union.

The United States hosted the recent Club World Cup

The Premier League has also rejected the idea. In 2008, then chief executive Richard Scudamore suggested an additional “international round” of fixtures, but the plans were dropped after strong criticism from fans and the media.