A historic change is looming in Spanish football. The match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona, scheduled for December 20, could be held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a move that would mark a before and after in LaLiga.
The Board of Directors of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is preparing to debate this proposal, which, if approved, would open the door to the celebration of league matches outside of Spain’s borders.
This turn of events is possible thanks to the recent modification of FIFA’s regulations, which now allows league championship matches to be played abroad. A long-held dream of Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, who in the past faced opposition from the RFEF and regulations. Now, with the backing of the new regulations and a more open-minded board, the idea seems more feasible than ever.
If given the green light, the RFEF will initiate the proceedings to obtain the necessary permits from UEFA, Concacaf, and FIFA. However, this ambitious plan is not without obstacles. The AFE (Spanish Footballers’ Association) has already expressed its disagreement, which could generate tensions.
If everything moves forward without setbacks, the last matchday of 2025 will have a special flavor, with a match in the United States and the subsequent Supercopa in Saudi Arabia. The globalization of LaLiga continues its course, demonstrating that geographical limits in elite football are becoming increasingly blurred.
📸 Mark Brown – 2019 Getty Images
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