A Moroccan female footballer died while attempting to swim across the border into Ceuta.
On 3 August 2026, the Moroccan women's football community mourned the loss of 20-year-old Moroccan player Faten Ben Amar El Azizi, who died trying to swim across the border into Ceuta, a Spanish territory north of Morocco. She passed away on Thursday, 30 July, during her attempt to reach Spain.
This incident happened amid a massive wave of migrants trying to cross from Morocco into Ceuta and Melilla, with more than 60,000 people attempting to cross the border within just 24 hours, marking one of the largest migrations in the area in recent years.
Spanish authorities reported a total of 67 deaths from the event, while Moroccan media stated that at least 17 people died on the Moroccan side, mostly by drowning as they tried to swim to Ceuta.
Maghreb Atlético Tetuán club issued a statement confirming her death, saying her journey "ended before reaching her destination." The Moroccan Professional Footballers Union also expressed condolences and emphasized that Faten's decision was driven by hope, not recklessness.
The club added that she did not undertake the journey seeking fame or adventure, but to find a better life and future she believed awaited beyond the border. Previously, she played for both Maghreb Atlético Tetuán and Morocco Athletic Tangier and was regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Moroccan women's football.