UEFA Reluctantly Approves Barcelona Match in Miami — “It’s Regrettable,” Says Ceferin
It’s official — Barcelona are heading to Miami.
UEFA has reluctantly approved the club’s long-standing wish to play a La Liga fixture abroad, confirming that Villarreal vs Barcelona on December 20 will take place in the United States.
It’s a first for Spanish football. Never before has a La Liga match been played outside Spain. And while it’s being called a “historic” move by some, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin isn’t celebrating.
“We Had to Allow It — But We Don’t Support It”
Barcelona have pushed for this for months, arguing that taking a match overseas could grow the league’s global reach. Real Madrid, among others, called it a gimmick — unfair to fans who can’t travel and to clubs who lose home advantage.
In the end, UEFA said yes. But only barely.
“Since the relevant FIFA rules are still being revised, UEFA’s Executive Committee has reluctantly decided to approve the two requests,” the organization said.
Those “two requests” include another match: AC Milan vs Como, which will be played in Perth, Australia.
Even so, UEFA stressed that this is not the start of a new trend.
Ceferin Speaks Out
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin made his feelings clear. He called the move exceptional, and something he hopes won’t happen again.
“League matches should be played at home,” he said.
“Anything else takes away from loyal supporters and risks distorting competition. Our consultation confirmed those concerns.”
He added:
“Although it’s regrettable that we must let these two matches happen, this decision is unique. It should not be seen as a precedent.”
A Historic — and Divisive — Moment
The Miami fixture could open doors for future cross-border events. It could also open a can of worms.
If Barcelona can take a league match abroad, others will want to follow.
Still, Ceferin’s message was firm: football belongs to its home crowds.
For now, the Villarreal–Barcelona clash in Miami stands as a one-time experiment — one that might shape the debate on what modern football really values: global reach or local roots.