MADRID — The Spanish league is closer to playing a regular-season game in the United States. The Spanish soccer federation on Monday approved a request for the match between Villarreal and Barcelona to be played in Miami on Dec. 20. The federation will now seek approval from soccer governing bodies UEFA and FIFA.

Soccer fans in the U.S. have long been used to seeing some of Europe's biggest clubs play exhibition matches and friendlies during the summer, but now Spain's LaLiga is closer to hosting a regular-season match stateside. And it would include the league's defending champions.

The Spanish soccer league is pushing for a fixture between FC Barcelona and Villarreal to be played in Miami as the first game outside of Spain.