AD Ceuta: The Ultimate Spanish Underdog Save Idea in FM26

If you’re searching for the best Football Manager 2026 saves and want something unique, challenging, and rewarding, look no further than AD Ceuta. This Spanish club, based in North Africa, is one of the most fascinating underdog stories in world football — and in FM26, it’s the perfect project save.

Club Profile: A Storied History at the Crossroads

Origins & Evolution

Founded on 9 July 1956, AD Ceuta emerged from a merger between Sociedad Deportiva Ceuta and the Spanish part of Atlético Tetuán, initially named Club Atlético de Ceuta The club spent six seasons in Segunda División before relegation in 1968.

In 2013, it officially became Agrupación Deportiva Ceuta Fútbol Club, adopting the identity, colours, and logo of a previous Ceuta-based entity. Since then, the club has oscillated between various tiers — from Tercera División to the lower leagues, slowly building back toward prominence

Recent Triumphs & Momentum

• 2020–21: Earned promotion from Tercera División via a dramatic added-time win over Xerez CD

• 2021–22: Climbed to Primera Federación (third tier) after defeating Unión Adarve in playoff finals

• 2022–23: Under manager José Juan Romero, Ceuta reached the Copa del Rey last 16, even defeating UD Ibiza and Elche, before falling to FC Barcelona. Striker Rodri scored 20 league goals, the most in the division

• 2024–25: A historic season — Ceuta won its Primera Federación group, secured direct promotion to Segunda División for the first time in 45 years, and lifted the group’s championship trophy

This meteoric rise, from lower-tier struggles to the brink of professional football, makes AD Ceuta one of the most compelling underdog stories in recent Spanish football.

Home Ground: Estadio Alfonso Murube

AD Ceuta plays at Estadio Municipal Alfonso Murube, a stadium flanked by Mediterranean and Moroccan coastline views. Opened in 1997, it seats 6,500 and epitomizes Ceuta’s unique geography

The Dream: Turning Ceuta into a LaLiga Force

What makes AD Ceuta one of the best FM26 project saves is the rich narrative you can craft:

• Establish a scouting network across Morocco and the broader African region to uncover hidden gems.

• Blend raw African talent with Spanish technicality to form a distinct footballing identity.

• Transform a regional club into a LaLiga regular, eventually competing at national and even European levels.

  
  

Imagine taking a squad you’ve built to the Santiago Bernabéu or Camp Nou — this is the ultimate underdog journey.