Villarreal-Barça in Miami: CSD and UEFA give the green light to LaLiga

UEFA will internally address the dispute over the match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at its Executive Committee meeting on Thursday in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Although the match, corresponding to Matchday 17 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26, is not on the agenda, European football's governing body will thoroughly study the RFEF's request to play the match on December 20th in the United States.

For now, the entity presided over by Aleksander Ceferin maintains its opposition to the initiative, but understands that if the federations and clubs agree and FIFA gives the 'Ok', its room for maneuver is significantly reduced.

LaLiga has the support of the CSD and is confident of receiving UEFA's 'Ok'

In this regard, LaLiga seems to have a clear path for Villarreal and Barça to play on December 20th in Miami. For now, the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) and clubs like Real Madrid maintain their rejection of the initiative, but both the employers' association and the RFEF have already made a decision.

However, the Superior Sports Council (CSD) has not spoken out against moving the match to the United States, although it would set a historic precedent that will forever change the business model in the major leagues around the world.

If the CSD were to agree with the AFE, UEFA and FIFA would have a strong argument to deny the license for Villarreal-Barça. This is because it would alter the stability of the top competition in Spanish football.

Serie A also wants to emulate LaLiga by playing a match in Australia

Meanwhile, UEFA wants to analyze the RFEF's request in detail to find legal arguments to deny permission for the match. In Serie A, there is also a similar request to take AC Milan-Como 1907 to Australia in February 2026.

However, unlike the LaLiga match, the clash between Italian clubs, for now, has no detractors in 'Calcio'. Furthermore, Milan justifies its need to change the venue for the Matchday 24 game because its stadium, San Siro, will be occupied hosting the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics, on the weekend of February 7-8.

Villarreal, on the other hand, has no force majeure reason not to play on December 20th at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Despite this, the 'Yellow Submarine' is fully in agreement with the initiative and its board, even promised to cover the travel costs of its members to Miami to have greater support at the Hard Rock Stadium.

FIFA will have the final say on Villarreal-Barça in Miami

Lamine Yamal during a Villarreal-Barça LaLiga 24/25 match.

Along with UEFA, the European Commission and the Football Supporters Europe maintain their firm stance against allowing domestic league matches to be played outside their country and, even more so, outside the continent. The arguments are based on alterations to competitive balance and the integrity of the tournaments.

Even so, Javier Tebas, as president of LaLiga, is increasingly close to realizing one of his great objectives at the head of the employers' association. In 2019, the competition ruled out taking a Barça-Girona match to Miami "due to a lack of consensus around the proposal."

Now, thanks to the support of the RFEF and the changes approved by FIFA regarding international matches, the context is much more favorable. In May 2024, world football's governing body approved the playing of league matches outside their country of origin.