Defending Club World Cup champion Manchester City will begin its defence in this year’s revamped edition of the tournament against Wydad Casablanca in their Group G match at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday.
The Premier League club won the title in 2023 Brazilian club Fluminense FC 4-0 in the final.
Who is Wydad Casablanca?
Wydad Casablanca is a Moroccan club that competes in the Botola Pro league, the top tier of football in the country. It is considered one of the most successful clubs in Morocco with 22 league titles, in addition to nine Throne Cups and 16 Super Cups.
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On the continental stage, they have lifted three CAF Champions League trophies, one CAF Super Cup, one African Cup Winners’ Cup, one Afro-Asian Club Championship title, one Mohammed V Cup, three North African Championship titles, and one North African Cup.
Wydad qualified for the tournament after winning its third CAF Champions League title in 2022.
The final took place at the Red Devils’ home stadium, the Stade Mohammed V, against Al Ahly FC. A brace from Zouhair El Moutaraji secured a 2-0 victory over Wydad’s long-time rival and wrestled the title back from the Egyptian giant.
FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Omar Aqzdaou, Youssef El Motie, El Mehdi Benabid
Defenders: Fahad Moufi, Ayoub Bouchta, Bart Meijers, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Jamal Harakass, Mohamed Moufid
Midfielders: Ismail Moutaraji, Oussama Zemraoui, Mehdi Moubarik, Zakaria Fatihi, Thembinkosi Lorch, Stephane Aziz Ki, Ismael Benktib, Pedrinho, Arthur, Mickael Malsa
Forwards: Mohamed Rayhi, Samuel Obeng, Selemani Mwalimo, Cassius Mailula, Nordi Amrabat, Hamza Hannouri
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com