Rabat – The streets of Casablanca carried a different kind of energy this week. Excitement rippled through the city as Wydad AC welcomed the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 trophy, a symbol of ambition, perseverance, and global recognition.
For two days, the Moroccan club opened its doors to the prize that will soon crown the best team in the world, and for many, the visit felt like a signal that Wydad’s dream has taken a new, tangible shape.
Wydad AC stands among 32 clubs that will compete in the first expanded edition of the FIFA Club World Cup. The tournament promises to shift the rhythm of international football, not only by its size but by what it offers, a truly global contest grounded in merit. The trophy, unveiled earlier this year in New York, now tours the world, stopping in each participating team’s hometown before it reaches the final destination in New Jersey this July.
In Casablanca, Wydad’s technical staff, players, and supporters gathered to share in a rare moment of unity and expectation. Rhulani Mokwena, the club’s head coach, spoke of pride and responsibility in a press statement.He did not hide his belief that African clubs, including Wydad and his former team Mamelodi Sundowns, have what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with football’s elite. Mokwena’s message was clear, Africa enters the tournament with purpose.
Team captain Jamal Harkass addressed the coming matches with calm resolve. The prospect of facing Manchester City and Juventus might unsettle most teams, but Harkass carried a quiet assurance. He described the draw as an opportunity, not a burden. For him and his teammates, each match offers a chance to measure themselves against the highest level of club football.
Mohamed Rayhi, one of Wydad’s standout forwards, shared his thoughts in a more personal tone. He spoke of the supporters who fill stadiums with songs and banners, who bring color and noise wherever Wydad plays.
Rayhi recalled Morocco’s deep run at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar and drew a line between that national achievement and what Wydad now aims to accomplish on the club stage. His words reflected a sense of continuity, of a country that refuses to shrink in the face of global expectation.
Former Wydad and Morocco defender Nourredine Naybet also joined the event. He greeted the trophy like an old friend, smiling as memories of his playing days came to the surface. Naybet has seen Moroccan football evolve over the decades, and this moment, he said, belongs to more than just a club. It belongs to a generation that believes it can break new ground.
Throughout the visit, the trophy moved across the city, from training grounds to Casablanca’s historic landmarks. It stood briefly against the backdrop of the Hassan II Mosque and caught the sun over the Atlantic. Fans gathered in small crowds, children craned their necks for a glimpse, and club jerseys dotted the streets. The city paused, not in ceremony, but in shared hope.
Wydad’s journey in the tournament will begin in Philadelphia where they will face Manchester City on June 18. Juventus awaits four days later, in the same stadium. The group stage will close in Washington DC, where Wydad meets Al Ain FC on June 26. Each of these matches carries weight, but for now, Casablanca holds the moment close.
This week’s visit marked more than a stop on a global tour. It reminded players and supporters that football’s biggest dreams often grow from local roots. And in Casablanca, those roots run deep.
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