The FIFA Club World Cup trophy made a symbolic stop in Casablanca on Tuesday, as Wydad Athletic Club hosted a ceremony filled with pride, nostalgia, and ambition ahead of the tournament’s expanded edition this summer.
The event, held on April 15, saw Wydad honoured for its historic role in Moroccan football, with the glittering trophy presented in recognition of the club’s qualification for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Several of the club’s iconic figures were in attendance, including former stars Noureddine Naybet, Salah Eddine Saidi, and Hassan Benabicha.
Also present were former club presidents such as Abdelilah El Manjra, underscoring the occasion’s significance for Wydad’s legacy.
The gathering served as a tribute not just to the team’s past, but to its future aspirations.
Addressing the media, Wydad’s current president, Hicham Ait Menna, spoke of the club’s ambitions as it prepares to compete on one of football’s biggest stages.
“We want to fly the flag for the club and for Morocco,” Ait Menna declared, as quoted by Le 360 Sport.
Wydad earned its place in the prestigious tournament after securing the 2022 African Champions League title.
Now, the Casablanca giants are gearing up to face some of the world’s most formidable teams in Group G, including Premier League champions Manchester City, Italian heavyweights Juventus, and UAE side Al Ain.
With the tournament set to run from 14 June to 13 July 2025 in the United States, the challenge ahead is immense.
But Wydad, backed by its rich history and passionate supporters, is preparing to embrace it with confidence and unity.
The presence of the Club World Cup trophy in Casablanca offered a glimpse into the magnitude of the upcoming competition and the pride it stirs within Moroccan football circles.
For Wydad and its fans, it was a reminder of how far the club has come—and of the global spotlight it is about to step into once again.
As the countdown to the tournament begins, the focus now shifts to preparations on the pitch.
But for a moment, Casablanca stood still to celebrate a legacy, and to dream of what lies ahead.
