Metropolis’s first opponents at this summer time’s FIFA Membership World Cup are Moroccan aspect Wydad AC.
They’re one in all 4 African sides on the competitors having received the 2021/22 CAF Champions League.
To study extra about them, we just lately spoke to – the Sports activities Editor , one in all Morocco’s main publications.
He instructed us what to anticipate once we come up in opposition to Wydad for the primary time in Philadelphia on 18 June.
Model of play
I’d say that is one thing of a transition period for Wydad. In Morocco, they’ve at all times been recognized for a direct fashion of play and within the Eighties and Nineties, they had been at their greatest.
It’s at all times been about how fast they went from one finish of the pitch to the opposite. It has been the membership’s DNA to at all times have one of the best wingers, full backs and strikers.
Nonetheless, because the begin of final season, Rhulani Mokwena has modified it. He got here from Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa and has a repute for a really completely different fashion.
Issues weren’t going so nicely early on however now he has put in a 4-2-3-1 form and it has clicked extra.
It’s a brand new undertaking and really completely different to the way in which they performed to win the CAF Champions League to qualify for this competitors.
Supervisor
It was troublesome when Rhulani Mokwena first got here in however the followers wanted to be affected person.
He’s a really calm and pleasant man in his media appearances. He’s managed to persuade everyone to be affected person, which is uncommon in Morocco!
He’s modified greater than the fashion of play, he’s modified mentality. They needed to appropriate some issues they usually’re on a brand new path now.
Walid Regragui was the supervisor that received the Champions League for Wydad again in 2022. Most followers around the globe will know him as the person who that led Morocco on the 2022 World Cup once we reached the semi-finals.
It’s important to distinguish between membership degree and nationwide staff as a result of they’ve gamers which are a part of the diaspora from around the globe. Golf equipment can solely depend on native expertise or one of the best of Africa’s expertise.
Star gamers
Mokwena depends on a trusted backbone of gamers that play most matches and are actually essential to the fashion of play.
Goalkeeper Mehdi Benabid can actually play with the ball at his toes, which this staff wants.
In entrance of him, captain Jamal Harkass and Mounaim Boutouil are the defenders to supply a powerful base whereas midfielder Mehdi Moubarik has been actually good and is on mortgage from Al Ain, who’re additionally on this group, so it is going to be fascinating to see if he performs.
Crucial attacking gamers are wingers Cassius Mailula and Mohamed Rayhi, who’re quick and troublesome for defenders to cease. Mokwena is aware of Mailula from Mamelodi Sundowns they usually have a extremely good relationship.
You haven’t any thought! Ever because the draw was made and stadiums confirmed, followers in Casablanca have been planning their journeys and routes to America.
Morocco additionally has an enormous diaspora in every single place around the globe so there can be followers coming not simply from Casablanca however many, many cities. Persons are tracing routes by many nations into the USA to get to the host cities.
The assist can be very loud and dependable within the stadiums, so hopefully it will add an additional ingredient to the video games Wydad play.
In Casablanca, there are such a lot of folks and it’s both Wydad or Raja and it’s an enormous supply of pleasure for Wydad followers that they’re the one Moroccan staff which are a part of this match.
Metropolis data amongst followers and gamers in Morocco
It’s actually watched, particularly within the final decade or so with the arrival of Pep Guardiola. He is a large attraction by himself.
Till Guardiola moved to the Premier League, La Liga was the most well-liked European league in Spain. That was partly due to how shut the nations are, but in addition as a result of that’s the place one of the best soccer was.
Lately, that’s turned to England and the sensible soccer Metropolis have performed. The most important names are recognized all around the globe and it is going to be nice to see Wydad take a look at themselves in opposition to a few of the greatest.
Methods to observe the FIFA Membership World Cup 2025
DAZN will broadcast each minute from the occasion, with all 63 matches, live-streamed, free to view on DAZN globally, and in a number of languages.
If you’re already a DAZN subscriber or Freemium member, then the competitors is a part of your present membership.
You possibly can then watch all of the motion on the DAZN App by way of sensible TVs, smartphones, tablets, streaming units, recreation consoles and net browsers.
Each Metropolis match can be lined in full throughout mancity.com and our official app, with our common providing of a Matchday Centre and Matchday Reside adopted by a match report, written and video response and highlights from the US.