Historic breakthrough: Spain backs first La Liga match in US

Rafael Ouzan, President of The Spanish Football Federation, during an official ceremony (Illustrative image) (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) Getty Images

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has given the green light to play a La Liga match in the United States, marking a historic breakthrough in European football. This would become the first-ever European top flight league match played on American soil, as GBNews reports.

The proposed match would feature Barcelona against Villarreal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, according to the Daily Mail. The venue selection represents a strategic choice for La Liga's American expansion ambitions.

Historic policy reversal

The RFEF board of directors approved the request during a Monday meeting, representing a dramatic policy shift from years of previous opposition, the Daily Mail confirmed. This reversal marks a significant change in stance from Spanish football's governing body.

Previous attempts to stage La Liga matches in the United States were blocked in both 2018 and 2019, as the Daily Mail reports. The failed proposals included a Barcelona versus Girona match and an Atletico Madrid versus Villarreal fixture, both meeting resistance from RFEF and FIFA.

Legal obstacles cleared

A major breakthrough came when US events promoter Relevent settled its lawsuit against FIFA in April 2024, removing a significant legal obstacle, according to the Daily Mail. This settlement paved the way for renewed discussions about international league matches.

The request must now be submitted to UEFA and FIFA for further approval before the historic match can proceed, the Daily Mail said. These governing bodies hold the final authority over whether the groundbreaking fixture will take place.

Sources used: "PA Media", "GBNews", "Daily Mail"

Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.