Young Moroccan footballer Faten Amar El Aziz was found dead while attempting to cross the border into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on August 2, 2026.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the female player drowned in the sea near Ceuta during a major storm that claimed many lives in similar attempts.
Reports indicate that about 84 migrants have drowned in recent days, raising concerns about the growing number of migration-related tragedies from North Africa.
The 20-year-old’s club, Maghreb Atlétic Tétouan, paid tribute to her, expressing deep sorrow over her tragic demise.
The club noted that Faten Amar embarked on the journey in search of a better life, not fame or adventure.
The club stated, with a “broken heart” at seeing her dream “shattered before it even began,” that she “was not seeking fame or adventure but a better life and a future across the border.”
The Moroccan Union of Professional Footballers also released a statement, consoling the bereaved family and urging them to remain strong in these difficult times.
“President Mustapha El Hadaoui, along with all members of the federation, extends their sincere condolences and expresses profound sympathy to the family of the deceased, her relatives, her teammates, Moghreb de Tanger, and the entire Moroccan football family,” the statement read.
Faten Amar El Aziz wore the shirt of Maghreb Atlétic Tétouan with pride and honour. She had previously represented Moghreb Tétouan, leaving a clear mark on her football career despite her young age.