La Liga has officially cancelled plans to stage the Villarreal vs Barcelona league fixture in Miami on December 20, citing “uncertainty in Spain” and logistical challenges surrounding approvals.
The match, part of La Liga’s international expansion project with US promoter Relevent Sports, was meant to mark a historic step for Spanish football’s global reach.
However, the plan has been scrapped after weeks of mounting opposition from players, unions, and football authorities, reports Inside World.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas had insisted that the project fully complied with all regulations, but several governing bodies disagreed.
FIFA, Concacaf And USSF Complications Derail The Plan
While UEFA and the Spanish FA reluctantly approved the game, both Concacaf and the US Soccer Federation withheld sanctioning, effectively blocking the fixture from taking place on American soil.
Concacaf said it needed to complete a “stakeholder review” before making a final decision.
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The Spanish players’ union had also warned that holding a league match abroad would damage the integrity of the competition, giving Barcelona an unfair advantage by turning a difficult away trip into a neutral venue.
In a statement, LaLiga accused rival competitions like the Premier League and UEFA of dominating global markets, saying international matches were vital for Spanish football’s growth.
Meanwhile, Relevent Sports confirmed it had advised LaLiga to postpone the match due to insufficient time for proper preparation — ending a controversial chapter in LaLiga’s push to globalize its product.
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