Achraf Dari has underlined the importance of a perfect start as Al Ahly prepare for their opening match in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
The Moroccan centre-back stressed the team’s determination to begin the tournament strongly, highlighting the significance of early momentum in a tightly contested group.
Al Ahly, who have been training in the U.S. for several days, are looking to establish themselves early and carry that form through the rest of the competition.
“We are training well and working hard to win every match,” Dari said in the lead-up to the opening fixture. “The first game will be a tough one. We have to be completely focused if we want to come away with the result we want.”
Al Ahly, the Egyptian giants, have left nothing to chance in their preparations. The squad arrived on American soil early to ensure they had sufficient time to adjust to the local conditions and time zone, a move intended to provide a physical and psychological edge ahead of their high-stakes opener.
“We arrived early in the United States and quickly adapted to the atmosphere,” Dari explained. “We’re preparing with full concentration. Everyone is focused on the task ahead.”
Dari’s emphasis on focus and adaptation reflects the club’s broader strategy. With a demanding group stage schedule ahead, Al Ahly’s technical staff are relying on early acclimatisation and intensive training sessions to sharpen the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead.
Their Club World Cup campaign begins on 15 June with a highly anticipated clash against American side Inter Miami. Just four days later, they will take on Brazil’s Palmeiras in what is expected to be another fiercely competitive encounter. Their final group stage fixture will be against Portuguese club FC Porto on 24 June.
All three matches present formidable tests, but Dari is confident that early success can set the tone for the tournament. The aim, he says, is simple: maintain a winning rhythm from the outset and avoid dropping points.
Al Ahly’s squad, led by a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents, are no strangers to high-pressure situations. Having dominated African club football in recent years, expectations are high as they step onto the global stage.
For Dari, who joined the Egyptian club in 2024, the competition presents an opportunity to further prove his quality on one of football’s biggest stages. But his focus remains firmly on the collective effort.
“This is not just about one match or one player. It’s about the whole team being mentally and physically ready,” he added. “Every game is a final for us, and we are treating it that way.”
With less than a week remaining before kick-off, Al Ahly continue their final phase of preparation with discipline and ambition. Dari’s words reflect the mindset within the squad—laser-focused, united, and determined to make their mark from day one.
