RFEF approves Villarreal vs Barcelona match in the USA; UEFA green light awaited | OneFootball

In a key development, Mundo Deportivo states the Board of Directors of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has approved the proposal to forward the request to UEFA for Villarreal vs Barcelona to be played on 20 December at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, USA.

The green light from the RFEF board is a historic step taken in Spanish football towards hosting a match outside national borders. The vast majority of those present supported the decision.

What next?

It is now UEFA that must also authorise the match, as it is a mandatory step under FIFA’s Regulations on International Matches and the applicable rules approved by the RFEF.

Once UEFA grants approval, with the deadline set for 30 November (21 days before the fixture), the request must then be sent to the affected confederation, which in this case would be CONCACAF and the United States Soccer Federation.

FIFA must be fully informed of the procedure, but authorisation from the governing body is not required if the process follows the established steps.

Third time lucky for La Liga?

La Liga has previously made two unsuccessful attempts to move a domestic league match outside of Spain.

Villarreal vs Barcelona to take place in the US. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The first dates back seven years to 11 September 2018, when La Liga announced that the Girona vs Barcelona match would be played in the United States, also at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

However, at that time, then-RFEF president Luis Rubiales vetoed the option amid a personal dispute with La Liga president Javier Tebas and never allowed the proposal to be referred to UEFA.

The second attempt came just a year ago, in October 2024, when La Liga again sent a request to the RFEF to hold a Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid match in Miami, scheduled for 20 December.

At that time, the RFEF was managed by an interim board chaired by Pedro Rocha, which initially sought advice from the Higher Sports Council (CSD) to avoid possible sanctions.

Ultimately, the RFEF decided to withdraw the consultation with the CSD, considering it was not the right time given the organisation’s interim situation.

Now, all conditions appear to be in place and, barring surprises, La Liga appear set to be third time lucky in their attempt.

Barcelona and Villarreal are on board with the idea and already seem to be taking it for granted that the match will be played in the US.

While official figures have not been disclosed, the initial agreement includes a base compensation of around €4 million to Barça for agreeing to play the match.