Wydad AC: Club World Cup Opponents for Juventus

When the expanded, 32-team FIFA Club World Cup kicked off in the United States this summer, Group G immediately stood out. European heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus were drawn alongside UAE champions Al-Ain FC and Moroccan giants Wydad AC, Africa’s sole representative in the quartet. For Juventus, Wydad’s presence offers an unpredictable hurdle; for the Casablanca club, it is a chance to upset two continental titans on the game’s newest global stage.

Wydad AC’s 2025 Club World Cup Challenge

Few observers expect an easy ride for Wydad. Preview pieces in European and African media alike peg Manchester City as overwhelming favourites to top the pool, with Juventus tipped to follow them into the knockout phase. Analysts describe Wydad and Al-Ain as battling simply to avoid last place. Yet tournament football thrives on upsets, and Wydad have made a habit of punching above their weight in recent CAF Ipl betting app Champions League campaigns. Their ability to navigate this mini-league will hinge on defensive organisation, opportunistic finishing, and psychological resilience against opposition boasting far deeper resources.

Amine Benhachem’s Tactical Approach and Key Players

Wydad’s board moved decisively in May, handing the reins to local tactician Mohamed Amine Benhachem. The 49-year-old, who holds a UEFA Pro licence and favours a compact 4-2-3-1, impressed as an interim coach before being made permanent on 25 May 2025. Benhachem—already featuring prominently in many football predictions columns—has emphasised collective discipline and quick, vertical transitions, an approach designed to frustrate possession-dominant sides such as City and Juve. He named a 26-man squad with only three overseas signings, betting on chemistry and the grit that carried Wydad through African competition.

Key Players to Watch: Amrabat, Rayhi and More

Benhachem’s system still relies on moments of individual brilliance. Veteran winger-turned-midfielder Nordin Amrabat, creative forward Mohamed Rayhi, and athletic goalkeeper Youssef Bennabid headline a roster that blends experience with youthful energy. If Wydad are to escape Group G, these leaders must rise above their reputations as plucky underdogs and deliver on the biggest stage of their careers.

Nordin Amrabat: The Veteran Midfielder Still Going Strong

At 38, Amrabat represents the tournament’s elder statesmen. After stints in La Liga, the Premier League and Saudi Arabia,IPL Match today he returned to his homeland in January, signing a one-year deal with Wydad. Though formally listed as a right winger, Benhachem has redeployed him as a roaming No. 10, trusting his game-management skills and set-piece craft. Transfermarkt values him at a modest €150,000, yet his leadership is priceless inside a dressing room that skews young. Expect Amrabat to drop between the lines, slow games down when needed, and shoulder penalty-kick duties.

Mohamed Rayhi: The Goal-Scoring Threat for Wydad AC

Rayhi, 30, may be less heralded internationally, but his numbers speak volumes. A natural left-sided forward, he averaged a goal every 76 minutes during the Botola Pro’s spring run-in and finished the domestic season on 11 goals despite missing a month for Umrah. Rayhi’s preference for cutting inside onto his stronger right foot creates shooting lanes at the top of the box—an area City’s Riyad Mahrez once made famous. In Benhachem’s transition game, the Dutch-Moroccan thrives on diagonal balls behind full-backs, and his work-rate makes him a key first-line defender when Wydad are out of possession. ​​

Wydad AC’s Group G Fixtures in the 2025 Club World Cup

FIFA’s schedule placed all Group G matches at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, giving Wydad a consistent venue but demanding quick turnarounds in heat and humidity. Their three-match gauntlet runs from 18 to 25 June, with only three rest days before the final tie.

Wydad AC vs Manchester City: A Challenging Opener

City brushed aside Wydad 2-0 on 18 June 2025, controlling play despite an 88th-minute red card for Rico Lewis; Ayoub Lorch’s near-miss was the Moroccans’ best chance. Coach Benhachem still labelled the display “encouraging.” 2025 Club World Cup – Group G

• 18 Jun 2025: Wydad 0–2 Manchester City
• 22 Jun 2025: Wydad vs Juventus
• 25 Jun 2025: Wydad vs Al-Ain FC

Wydad AC vs Juventus: A Must-Win for the Moroccan Giants

Next up, on 22 June (19:00 local), comes Juventus—a fixture that could make or break Wydad’s knockout hopes. Juve Final de la Champions League 2025 opened their campaign by thrashing Al-Ain 5-0, yet coach Igor Tudor will be without Bremer and Arkadiusz Milik, leaving a reshuffled back line vulnerable to Rayhi’s pace. Benhachem is expected to mirror Juve’s probable 3-4-2-1 with a narrow 4-4-2 out of possession, instructing Amrabat to mark Manuel Locatelli and disrupt distribution. A draw keeps Wydad alive; a win would push them above the Serie A side on head-to-head tiebreaks and set up a dramatic final matchday.

Wydad AC vs Al-Ain FC: Final Group Stage Match

Should qualification still be on the line, Wydad face Al-Ain on 25 June. The Emirati champions are rebuilding after their AFC Champions League triumph, and recent previews describe them as defensively porous but dangerous on the break. Benhachem’s men must avoid complacency—goal difference could become decisive if City beat Juventus as expected. Victory over Al-Ain, combined with a point against Juventus, might be enough to secure second place and a historic round-of-16 berth. Conversely, any slip could leave Wydad propping up the section. Expect tactical pragmatism: deep blocks, rapid counters and late-game substitutions aimed at preserving legs for potential extra-time in the knockouts.