Wydad Casablanca captain Jamal Harkass has expressed his team’s determination to perform with dignity and ambition at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States next summer.
The Moroccan giants have been drawn into Group G, where they will face reigning European champions Manchester City, Italian powerhouse Juventus, and Al Ain from the United Arab Emirates.
A challenge against the World’s best
Speaking in an interview with FIFA’s official website, Harkass acknowledged the magnitude of the tournament and the level of opposition awaiting his side.
We talk about the Club World Cup in the United States every day.
Big clubs will be present in this competition,” he said.
Wydad’s group features some of Europe’s most dominant teams, making their path to progression a challenging one.
Despite the tough draw, Harkass insists the squad is embracing the opportunity and is working hard in preparation.
Our group is extremely strong. The players are eager to play these matches, and we are preparing seriously now, he added.
Facing Manchester City: A test of quality
Among Wydad’s group-stage opponents, Manchester City stands out as the ultimate challenge.
The English club, Champions League winners in 2023, remains one of the most formidable sides in world football.
Harkass recognized the difficulty of facing Pep Guardiola’s men but stressed the importance of playing with confidence and discipline.
There is no doubt that playing against Manchester City will be a big challenge because they are former European champions.
We have to play at a very high level, without making mistakes, because these are games that are decided on details, he explained.
Carrying the pride of Moroccan football
Wydad Casablanca will enter the tournament carrying the hopes of Moroccan football, a responsibility that Harkass and his teammates take seriously.
He drew inspiration from the Moroccan national team’s historic 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, where the Atlas Lions became the first African team to reach the semi-finals.
We are aware of the responsibility that weighs on our shoulders, and, God willing, we will represent Moroccan football with dignity.
We do not forget what our national team accomplished during the World Cup two years ago, with exceptional players playing in the biggest European championships, Harkass said.
Commitment to Wydad’s legacy
As captain, Harkass emphasized the importance of respecting Wydad’s rich history and passionate supporters.
He urged his teammates to approach the tournament with the mindset of honoring the club’s legacy.
As captain, I always tell my teammates that wearing the colors of a big club like Wydad means respecting its history and its supporters by giving the best of yourself on the field.
Our goal is to have a great competition and live up to the expectations of Moroccan supporters, he concluded.
With months of preparation ahead, Wydad Casablanca will look to fine-tune their squad and tactics in anticipation of a highly competitive tournament.
As Morocco’s representatives, they will aim to make a strong impact and showcase African football on the global stage.
