Zero points, tough lessons: Wydad’s world-stage reality check

Wydad Casablanca’s journey at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 ended without a single point after three defeats in the group stage. While the outcome disappointed fans who had high hopes, it also opened the door to reflection on preparation, performance, and the wider realities of global football.

Drawn Into the “Group of Death”

Wydad was drawn into what many dubbed the “group of death,” Group C, featuring one of the strongest clubs in the world, Manchester City, Italian powerhouse Juventus, and Asian titleholders Al Ain FC.

Their campaign started with a 0-2 loss to Manchester City, followed by a 1-4 defeat against Juventus, and ended with a narrow 1-2 loss to Al Ain, despite taking an early lead.

Man City, led by Pep Guardiola, entered the competition as 2023 UEFA Champions League winners. While they had not secured any major trophies in the 2024-2025 season leading up to the Club World Cup, their lineup remained elite. Stars like Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, Rodri, and Phil Foden, as well as newcomers Rayan Cherki and Omar Marmoush, made them favorites, and they were the only team to win all three group games.

Juventus, despite going through a rebuilding phase, had the quality and experience to compete at the top level. With players like Dušan Vlahović, Kenan Yıldız, and Manuel Locatelli, they remained a serious challenge.

Al Ain, winners of the 2024 AFC Champions League, had experience on this stage, having previously reached the 2018 Club World Cup final against Real Madrid. Their confidence and organization helped them overcome Wydad in a comeback win.

Despite the odds, Wydad had moments of promise. They defended with discipline against City, managed to score against Juventus, and led Al Ain early on. But fatigue and lack of cohesion eventually saw them fall short.

What We Expected from Wydad’s World Cup Participation

While it was not anticipated that Wydad would advance far in this competition due to the clear differences in resources and team strength, the hope was for thorough professional preparation. The tournament was seen as a valuable learning experience and a significant step towards future club development.

Wydad’s participation was confirmed as early as March 2023, providing them with nearly two years to prepare. Despite this extended lead-time, the period leading up to the tournament was unstable.

In the 2024-2025 Botola Pro Inwi season, Wydad finished third behind FAR Rabat and RS Berkane, missing out on CAF Champions League qualification. They also failed to win any domestic trophies.

Coaching stability was also a significant issue. Wydad initially appointed South African coach Rhulani Mokwena, known for his success with Mamelodi Sundowns. However, he was dismissed just two matchdays before the end of the season due to poor results. Mohamed Amine Benhachem, the club’s former sporting director, was then appointed as interim coach and later confirmed to lead the team in the Club World Cup. This frequent change in coaching staff likely affected team cohesion and preparation.

Last-Minute Player Additions and Team Cohesion

Wydad’s squad featured several last-minute additions specifically for the tournament. Brazilian defender Guilherme Ferre and Dutch midfielder Bart Meijers started their first-ever match with the team against Manchester City. Veteran midfielder Sofyan Amrabat had only played in two friendlies before the tournament.

Among the notable signings was also Omar Al Somah, one of Syria’s most recognized footballers. However, Al Somah’s integration into the squad faced early challenges, as he was unable to join the club before their opening match against Manchester City due to visa delays. He subsequently made his debut for Wydad in the second half of the Juventus game and also featured in their third group stage fixture against Al Ain.

In football, team chemistry and understanding are crucial. Building this rapport is difficult when players are new to each other, which inevitably impacts the team’s ability to perform as a cohesive unit.

Financial Differences in World Football

There’s a huge financial disparity between football clubs around the world. This is particularly evident when comparing major leagues like England’s Premier League and Italy’s Serie A with smaller ones such as Morocco’s Botola Pro Inwi.

The English Premier League is by far the richest football league globally. It generates substantial revenue annually, primarily from lucrative TV broadcasting rights and major sponsorship deals. For example, in the 2023/2024 season, the league made over £6.35 billion (approximately $8.7 billion), according to their official financial reports.

A new TV deal for 2025 to 2029 is even larger, valued at £6.7 billion (around $9.19 billion) solely within the UK. This immense financial power allows English clubs to attract top talent, invest in world-class training facilities, and scout players globally.

Manchester City exemplifies how this financial strength translates to on-field success. In the 2023/2024 season, the club reported a record revenue of £715 million (about $901 million) and healthy profits, as detailed in their annual financial statements. Their revenue streams include TV rights, commercial sponsorships, matchday ticket sales, and player transfers, enabling them to consistently compete at the highest level both athletically and financially.

Now, let’s look at Italy’s Serie A. It remains one of Europe’s major leagues but is considerably less wealthy than the Premier League. In 2023/2024, all Serie A clubs combined generated approximately €3.8 billion (around $5.21 billion) in revenue, with TV deals contributing about €1.48 billion (roughly $2 billion), based on reports from financial consulting firms like Deloitte.

Juventus, one of Italy’s most famous clubs, reported revenues of approximately €394.6 million in 2023/24. Over half of this, €201 million, came from commercial activities like merchandise sales, demonstrating the strength of their brand.

The financial difference becomes even starker when we consider Morocco’s Botola Pro Inwi. This league is growing and becoming more professional, but financially, it operates on a completely different scale. The combined market value of all clubs in the Botola Pro Inwi is estimated to be only around €120 million. This is significantly less than even an average team in a major European league.

TV deals for the Botola Pro are believed to bring in estimated revenues of tens of millions of dollars each year, and most clubs are thought to operate with yearly budgets ranging from $10 to $20 million. They primarily depend on local sponsors, limited TV revenue, and some merchandise sales.

It is important to note that detailed financial information, such as audited annual revenue reports, for Moroccan league clubs is not as readily or transparently available as for their European counterparts, making a direct financial comparison challenging but the general scale is evident.

Wydad Casablanca, one of Morocco’s premier clubs, reported making a profit of about MAD 10.2 million ($1.02 million) in 2022. Their total revenue (referred to as ‘products’) reached MAD 111.6 million ($11.16 million) in the same period.

For clubs like Wydad, participation in major tournaments like the new FIFA Club World Cup can provide a substantial financial boost. African clubs joining this tournament, including Wydad, are set to receive at least $9.55 million just for participating. Wydad could have earned even more money if they had secured a win or a draw in a game. In the group stage of this new tournament, winning a match earns a club an extra $2 million, while a tie results in $1 million.

Moroccan Fans: The Beating Heart of Wydad’s Campaign

Despite Wydad’s early exit from the Club World Cup, one unforgettable highlight was the passionate support of their fans. Thousands traveled and filled the stands with chants, flares, and unshakable energy, turning every match into a show of pride and identity. Their presence made headlines and left a strong impression internationally, even drawing admiration from rival supporters and commentators.

While their actions led to a $40,000 fine due to the use of pyrotechnics and crowd-related incidents, the fans remained the emotional heartbeat of Wydad’s campaign.

In a tournament dominated by footballing giants and financial heavyweights, it was the Wydad supporters who stood out as the soul of the club—creating the kind of atmosphere money can’t buy. Their unwavering devotion became the brightest part of Wydad’s appearance on the global stage.