I feel embarrassed and ashamed to talk about football: Ceuta returns to the field after the migration crisis.

On Saturday, August 15, the Spanish Second Division will host one of its most unusual matches, with AD Ceuta facing FC Andorra in Encamp, Andorra. This encounter, which takes place outside Spain’s borders, highlights the unique geographical and political context surrounding both teams. AD Ceuta, based in the autonomous city of Ceuta on the northern coast of Africa, plays against FC Andorra, a team representing the Principality of Andorra, a landlocked country nestled between France and Spain. The game underscores the complex realities of football in a region marked by territorial disputes and migration challenges. The match is part of a broader narrative involving AD Ceuta's recent rise in Spanish football. Founded in 2013, the club represents Ceuta, a Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. For years, Ceuta had been excluded from professional football, but after winning promotion to the Second Division in 2025, the club returned to the national spotlight after nearly five decades away. The journey was led by president Luhay Hamido, who oversaw the club’s transformation from lower-tier leagues to the top flight. Coach Juan José Romero emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating that the promotion was the result of sustained effort and growth over several seasons. FC Andorra, meanwhile, has long operated under unique circumstances. Established in 1942 before Andorra had its own football federation, the club joined the Catalan Football Federation and remained affiliated with Spanish football structures until the formation of the Andorran federation in 1994. Despite being based in Andorra, FC Andorra regularly participates in Spanish leagues, making it the only Andorran team to compete consistently in foreign competitions. In 2018, the arrival of Gerard Piqué’s investment group Kosmos revitalized the club, pushing it toward professionalism and establishing a distinct identity within European football. Ceuta’s return to the Second Division brought with it a new set of challenges. The city, located just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, has historically faced issues related to its geopolitical position. This summer, however, these challenges took a dramatic turn. By late July, tens of thousands of migrants arrived in Ceuta through both land and sea routes from Morocco, creating one of the worst migration crises the city has ever experienced. According to reports, approximately 72,000 people reached Ceuta within a week, though many were later repatriated. As of early August, more than a thousand unaccompanied minors remained in the area. Local authorities requested assistance from the central government and other Spanish regions to manage the influx. Despite the ongoing crisis, AD Ceuta continues to focus on its sporting commitments. Coach Juan José Romero expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame about discussing football given the current situation in the city. He acknowledged the need for football to take a stand on the issues affecting Ceuta, emphasizing the gravity of the circumstances. Nevertheless, the club is preparing to face FC Andorra in a match that, while routine in terms of competition, carries symbolic weight due to the unique geography and history of both teams. The match also reflects the broader dynamics of football in the region. For AD Ceuta, playing in Andorra means crossing into a different territory, much like how the club itself exists in a liminal space between continents and cultures. Last season, AD Ceuta defeated FC Andorra twice, once at home in Ceuta and once in Andorra, highlighting the competitive nature of their encounters. This year, the teams meet again, continuing a rivalry shaped by both sporting ambition and geographic complexity. As the match approaches, the focus remains on football, even as the real-world challenges facing Ceuta persist. The game serves as a reminder of the dual realities that define the region, where sport can provide normalcy amid extraordinary circumstances. With the stadium in Encamp ready to welcome fans, the players prepare for a contest that, despite its peculiarities, is ultimately about the pursuit of victory on the field.