Barcelona in line for $4.5m cashout from planned pre-season clash in Morocco

Barcelona are expected to earn around $4.5 million from a planned pre-season friendly in Morocco next month, with the Spanish giants finalising arrangements for a match in Tangier on 15 August.

The Catalan club confirmed on Wednesday that its board of directors is working to complete plans for the men’s first team to face a Moroccan side, although neither the venue nor the identity of the opposition has been officially announced.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona are in line to receive approximately $4.5m for participating in the fixture, providing an important financial boost as the club continues to navigate La Liga’s financial regulations.

Tangier showdown awaits

While Barcelona have only confirmed the city and date of the match, the encounter is expected to take place at the Grand Stade de Tanger.

Discussions are still ongoing over which Moroccan club will face Hansi Flick’s side, with an official announcement expected in the coming weeks.

The fixture would add another match to Barcelona’s packed pre-season schedule as the club fine-tunes preparations for the new campaign.

Flick seeks extra preparation

Reports in Spain suggest that coach Hansi Flick requested an additional game between Barcelona’s participation in a pre-season tournament in Udine on 8 August and the Joan Gamper Trophy clash against Egyptian champions Al Ahly on 19 August.

Barcelona are scheduled to face Italian side Udinese and Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest during the tournament in Italy before travelling to Morocco.

The match in Tangier would give Flick another opportunity to assess his squad ahead of the start of the competitive season.

Morocco’s special bond with Barcelona

Beyond its sporting significance, the proposed fixture highlights Barcelona’s strong connection with Moroccan football supporters.

Morocco boasts more officially recognised Barcelona supporters’ clubs than any other African country, underlining the club’s popularity across the continent.

Tangier is home to the oldest officially recognised Moroccan Barça supporters’ club, which received official status in 2005.

Barcelona return to familiar territory

The planned match would mark Barcelona’s latest visit to northern Morocco.

In July 2012, the Spanish giants defeated Raja Club Athletic 8-0 in a friendly in Tangier, with Lionel Messi scoring a hat-trick.

Six years later, the city hosted Barcelona’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the Spanish Super Cup, further strengthening Tangier’s reputation as a venue capable of staging major international matches.

For Moroccan supporters, the upcoming friendly offers another opportunity to watch one of Europe’s biggest clubs in action on home soil, while Barcelona stand to benefit both financially and commercially from their return to North Africa.