Barça one step closer to playing La Liga game in Miami

FC Barcelona could play a La Liga game this season in Miami, after the Spanish football federation (RFEF) has given its green light to the move, and transferred the request to UEFA and FIFA. 

The RFEF announced the move in a statement on Monday. The statement says that both clubs requested to play their matchday 17 fixture in the United States, scheduled for the weekend of December 20-21.

"After receiving and reviewing the documentation, and after approval by the Board of Directors, the Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit a request to UEFA to begin the process for FIFA's subsequent authorization of the match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20, 2025, in accordance with FIFA's International Match Regulations and the implementing regulations approved by the RFEF," the statement explains. 

If it happens, it would be the first time a European top-flight league game is played in the United States. 

The Miami Dolphins NFL team are due to play a home match in the same stadium on the same weekend, which may result in the La Liga match being moved date, if plans are to go ahead. 

The teams would be expected to play in the round-of-32 of the Copa del Rey during the midweek of December 16-18. Barcelona enter the competition at that round, while Villarreal will play two rounds prior against lower-league opposition.