Barcelona have cancelled their scheduled pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier amid growing concerns over the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta.
The Spanish champions were due to face the Moroccan club in Tangier on August 15 as part of their preparations for the 2026/27 season, but the fixture will no longer go ahead.
In a statement, Barcelona said the prevailing circumstances made it inappropriate to play the match.
“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate,” the club said.
Although Barcelona did not explicitly state the reason for cancelling the fixture, the decision has been widely linked to heightened tensions surrounding Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave bordering Morocco.
The territory has been at the centre of a major migration crisis after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the enclave from Morocco, triggering security and humanitarian concerns.
Spanish authorities have since returned many of the migrants, while thousands remain in Ceuta as officials continue efforts to manage the situation.
The cancellation represents another disruption to Barcelona’s pre-season schedule after an earlier friendly against Preston North End was also called off following the club’s training camp in the United Kingdom, where Hansi Flick’s side faced Birmingham City.
Barcelona are now expected to continue their preparations with a friendly against Nottingham Forest in Udine, Italy, before facing Egyptian champions Al Ahly on August 19.
The Blaugrana are scheduled to begin the defence of their La Liga title on August 23 with an opening-day fixture against Elche.
