# Barcelona pre‑season after Tangier friendly cancellation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/barcelona-pursuit-of-lucas-herrington > Updated: 2026-08-18T07:33:35.000Z. Sources: 125. Developments: 16. Barcelona had initially confirmed a pre‑season friendly against Ittihad Riadi Tangier for 15 August, with negotiations with the Tangier federation in their final stage and the upgraded Grand Stadium set to host the match. The club was monitoring the migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, noting that the situation could affect the fixture. On 6 August, the club announced the cancellation of the Tangier match, citing the “current uncertainty and circumstances” linked to the Ceuta migration crisis. The decision is expected to cost about €4.5 million in appearance fees. Barcelona will instead complete its preparation with a 45‑minute triangular tournament in Udine, Italy, against Nottingham Forest and Udinese, and will still stage the Joan Gamper Trophy versus Al Ahly on 19 August. A previously arranged friendly with Preston North End remains called off, and the club continues to look for an alternative opponent before the La Liga opener on 23 August. Al Ahly is currently in Spain for a training camp to prepare for the Joan Gamper Trophy at Spotify Camp Nou, which marks the first time an Egyptian and African club has participated in the tournament. While President Mahmoud El‑Khatib will not travel to Spain, several board members and coach Hussein Amouta are overseeing the camp. Ahead of the match, former Al Ahly star Reda Shehata noted that recent administrative changes and new signings have raised fan expectations, emphasizing that defensive stability must be supported by pressing from the attacking lines. ## Claims - Barcelona will also play a behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Preston North End. (disputed by 3 sources) - The club also cancelled a behind‑closed‑doors friendly with Preston North End earlier in August. (disputed by 2 sources) - FC Barcelona cancelled a pre‑season friendly scheduled for 15 August 2026 in Tangier, Morocco. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The cancellation was attributed to the migrant crisis in Ceuta, Spain. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The scheduled opponent in Tangier was Ittihad Tangier (IR Tangier). (corroborated by 7 sources) - Barcelona will train at St George’s Park until 3 August 2026. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Barcelona's first pre‑season friendly is against Birmingham City on 31 July 2026 at St Andrew’s Stadium. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Barcelona arrived at East Midlands Airport on 27 July 2026. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Barcelona will lose an estimated €4.5 million in appearance fees due to the cancellation. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Midfielder Frenkie de Jong will travel with the team despite a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for four to five months. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Approximately 70,000–78,000 migrants entered Ceuta illegally in the days preceding the decision. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Barcelona’s pre‑season schedule includes matches against Nottingham Forest, Udinese and a Joan Gamper Trophy versus Al Ahly. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Al Ahly prepares for Barcelona clash amid season warnings Former Al Ahly star Reda Shehata warns the club about high fan expectations and emphasizes collective defensive responsibility ahead of their Joan Gamper Trophy match against FC Barcelona. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-prepares-for-barcelona-clash-amid-season-warnings ### 2026-08-06: FC Barcelona cancels Tangier friendly amid Ceuta migration crisis Barcelona cancels its 15 Aug friendly in Tangier over safety concerns from the Ceuta migrant crisis, losing €4.5 m and shifting to other pre‑season matches. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-cancels-tangier-friendly-over-security-concerns ### 2026-08-05: Al Ahly heads to Spain for pre‑season camp and Joan Gamper Cup clash with Barcelona Al Ahly completed domestic friendlies, traveled to Spain for a pre‑season camp, and will face Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Cup on 19 August. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-heads-to-spain-for-preseason-camp-and-joan-gamper-cup-clash-with-barcelona ### 2026-08-01: Al Ahly gears up for new season with friendlies, including Barcelona clash in Joan Gamper Cup Al Ahly prepares for the new season with friendlies, including a match against Delphie under coach Hussein Amouta, and a historic friendly versus Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Cup, though president Mahmoud El‑K̂ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-gears-up-for-new-season-with-friendlies-including-barcelona-clash-in-joan-gamper-cup ### 2026-07-29: Barcelona Plans Pre-Season Friendly in Tangier on Aug 15 FC Barcelona will play a pre‑season friendly against a Moroccan club in Tangier on 15 August 2026, part of its build‑up for the 2026‑27 season. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-schedules-preseason-friendly-in-tangier-on-aug-15 ### 2026-07-27: Barcelona starts England pre‑season camp as Valencia beats Derby County Barcelona began its England pre‑season camp, training at St George’s Park and gearing up for friendlies with Birmingham City and Preston North End. Meanwhile Valencia beat Derby County 2‑1 at the same venue, D​ 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barcelona-and-aston-villa-head-to-england-for-preseason-friendlies ### 2026-07-27: FC Barcelona gears up for 2026/27 La Liga season with new signings and ticket advice FC Barcelona starts the 2026/27 La Liga season with new signings, Lewandowski’s exit, and advice for fans to book tickets early for high‑demand matches. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-gears-up-for-202627-la-liga-season-with-new-signings-and-ticket-advice ### 2026-07-25: Al Ahly to face Barcelona in Joan Gamper Cup friendly on Aug 19 Al Ahly will play Barcelona in a Joan Gamper Cup friendly on Aug 19, prompting scheduling worries ahead of Egypt's league start. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-ahly-to-face-barcelona-in-joan-gamper-cup-friendly-on-aug-19 ### 2026-07-24: FC Barcelona outlines pre-season plans amid transfer rumors FC Barcelona faces transfer speculation over Raphinha and Dembélé as Al‑Hilal offers lucrative deals, while its futsal side prepares for a pre‑season stage in Andorra, a Valdepeñas tournament and upcomingfriend 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-outlines-pre-season-plans-amid-transfer-rumors ### 2026-07-24: Barcelona opens pre-season with 4-1 win over CE Europa, integrating new signings Adeyemi and Gordon Barcelona began its 2026‑27 pre‑season with a 4‑1 friendly win over CE Europa, while new signings Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon were presented, though Adeyemi did not play. Coach Hansi Flick used many youth‑ 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-plays-closeddoor-preseason-friendly-against-ce-europa ### 2026-07-23: FC Barcelona to host Al Ahly in Joan Gamper Trophy on Aug 19 Barcelona will face Egypt’s Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy on 19 August at Camp Nou, the first African club to play the event, following the Hamza Abdelkarim transfer and deepening club ties. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-preseason-friendly-and-summer-transfer-activity-2026 ### 2026-07-13: FC Barcelona begins 2026-27 pre‑season training; many stars absent, eyes Julian Alvarez FC Barcelona started pre‑season training for 2026‑27 LaLiga, with several key players at the World Cup and a new signing present, while pursuing Atletico's Julian Alvarez despite a potential FIFA complaint. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fc-barcelona-begins-2026-27-preseason-training-many-stars-absent-eyes-julian-alvarez ### 2026-07-10: FC Barcelona launches pre‑season with medical tests for first team and La Masia players FC Barcelona started its 2026‑27 pre‑season on 13 July with medical and fitness checks for 10 first‑team players and 15 La Masia youngsters, before beginning training the next day. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barcelona-prices-ferran-torres-at-50m-as-bayern-eyes-jules-kound-for-60m ### 2026-06-28: Lucas Herrington Becomes Youngest Australian World Cup Starter Amid Barcelona Transfer Rumors 18‑year‑old Lucas Herrington became the youngest Australian to start a World Cup match, helping a 0‑0 draw with Paraguay that sent Australia to the knockout stage, while Barcelona transfer interest sparked fan‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lucas-herrington-becomes-youngest-australian-world-cup-starter-amid-barcelona-transfer-rumors ### 2026-06-13: Barcelona makes historic bid for Australian defender Lucas Herrington Barcelona have made a historic bid for 18‑year‑old Australian defender Lucas Herrington of Colorado Rapids, aiming to sign a potential record‑breaking transfer ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barcelona-makes-historic-bid-for-australian-defender-lucas-herrington ### 2026-06-13: Barcelona bids for Australian teen defender Lucas Herrington Barcelona have officially bid for 18‑year‑old Australian defender Lucas Herrington of Colorado Rapids, a move that could make him the most expensive Aussie player if accepted. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/barcelona-bids-for-australian-teen-defender-lucas-herrington --- Cite as: Barcelona pre‑season after Tangier friendly cancellation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/barcelona-pursuit-of-lucas-herrington