Barcelona Scraps Pre-Season Club Friendly Against Ittihad Riadi Tangier Amid Ceuta Migrant Crisis
FC Barcelona has officially cancelled its pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier, which was scheduled for August 15 in Morocco. The club cited 'uncertainty' in the region, a decision widely attributed to the recent influx of migrants into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, causing socio-political tensions and security concerns.
FC Barcelona has announced the cancellation of its upcoming pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier (IR Tangier), which was slated for August 15 at the Grand Stade de Tanger (Ibn Battouta Stadium). The Catalan giants, in a statement released on Thursday, August 6, cited 'the current context of uncertainty and circumstances' as reasons deeming the match inappropriate to proceed. Vinicius Jr Extends Real Madrid Contract Until 2032.
Barcelona Issues Statement
The decision comes barely a week after an unprecedented surge of migrants from Morocco into Spain’s autonomous territory of Ceuta, a situation that has reportedly seen tens of thousands attempt to cross the border in late July. While Barcelona's official statement did not explicitly mention the migrant crisis, sports media outlets have widely linked the cancellation to the escalating socio-political tensions and security concerns arising from the events in Ceuta.
Pre-Season Plans Disrupted
Under new head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s pre-season preparations have encountered significant disruptions. The friendly against IR Tangier was intended to be a key fixture for the first team as they build rhythm ahead of the 2026-2027 La Liga season.
This is not the first pre-season setback for the Spanish champions. An earlier friendly against English Championship side Preston North End, planned for August 3 during a training camp in the United Kingdom, was also called off due to the English club reportedly not having enough first-team players available. Mohamed Salah Joins Trabzonspor on Free Transfer Until 2028 Following Liverpool Departure.
Fixture Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | FC Barcelona vs Ittihad Riadi Tangier (Friendly) |
| Original Date | August 15, 2026 |
| Venue | Grand Stade de Tanger (Ibn Battouta Stadium), Tangier, Morocco |
| Cancellation Date | Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| Reason | "Uncertainty" and "current circumstances" related to Ceuta migrant crisis |
| Opponent | Ittihad Riadi Tangier (IR Tangier) |
Recent Form
Barcelona has had a mixed start to their pre-season campaign. They secured a convincing 4-1 victory over CE Europa before drawing 2-2 with Birmingham City in their most recent outing, ultimately losing on penalties. The club is also scheduled to play Nottingham Forest, Udinese, and Al Ahly before their La Liga title defence commences on August 23 against Elche. The 2026-2027 La Liga season is scheduled to begin on the weekend of August 15, 2026.
This latest cancellation underscores the broader impact of regional geopolitical events on international sports, as clubs must navigate complex situations to ensure the safety and feasibility of their engagements.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2026 10:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).