Wydad Fans Stole the Show Despite Early Exit
Over 12,000 Wydad fans packed the stands, proudly donning red and white, waving flags, and chanting for their team like the scoreline didn't matter – because, to them, it didn't.
Their energy, flair, and sheer presence didn't go unnoticed: FIFA itself dedicated a portion of its official fan review to the Moroccans, calling their passion 'impossible to ignore.'
'We came to celebrate our country,' said Fatima and Lina, two Moroccan-American fans attending their first-ever Club World Cup match. Draped in national flags, they weren't shy about where they stood: 'Wydad fans do it better than anyone… Moroccans in general, actually.'
Even in defeat – including a 4-1 thumping by Juventus – the supporters never let up. Red smoke filled the air after Thembinkosi Lorch's lone goal, creating a dramatic visual that went viral online… but earned the club a not-so-pretty invoice.
FIFA has fined Wydad an eye-popping $400,000 for breaching stadium safety rules after fans set off smoke bombs at Audi Field in Washington. The smoke didn't delay the match, but tournament officials didn't appreciate the haze – even if social media loved it.
The penalty will eat into the $9.55 million prize pot for African clubs, making it a costly celebration for Wydad.
Still, the fans are already plotting their next move – the 2026 World Cup. 'We're saving for it,' said Zawahir, who travelled from Montreal with his family. 'No matter which city Morocco plays in, we'll be there.' Tags: Club World CupWydad AC
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
Five Moroccan Youth Handball Players Disappear During Tournament in Poland
Rabat — Five Moroccan handball players disappeared from their team headquarters during a youth tournament in Poland last month. This incident marks the second involving Moroccan athletes in the country within ten days. Players left their delegation during the Under-19 tournament in late June, embarrassing Moroccan officials and prompting a formal investigation. Morocco's National Authority for Fighting Corruption in Sports contacted the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports about what they called a 'sporting and diplomatic scandal.' Investigators suspect 'internal collusion' may have helped the players escape, with officials having identified a man over 30 years old who traveled with the delegation and allegedly has connections to illegal migration networks. As it happens, the Moroccan Handball Federation faces criticism for failing to send responsible officials to accompany the young players and staff during the tournament. This incident follows another disappearance involving Moroccan handball players in Poland. Two members of Morocco's Under-21 national team vanished during the World Championship held from June 18-29. Oussama Hakaoui and Moubarak Messaoudi, both players from Ittihad Nouacer, left their hotel during a stopover in Bologna, Italy, before the team traveled to Poland. Neither player has made contact since their disappearance. The back-to-back incidents signal growing concerns about Moroccan athletes using sporting events as opportunities to illegally immigrate. Anti-corruption officials have called for an urgent investigation into both cases. In 2022, a similar case took place when three players from Morocco's national amputee football team fled the Amp Futbol Cup 2022 in Poland. Meanwhile, eight Moroccan minors fled the World School Championship in Slovakia in May of the same year. Tags: Handball playersHandball tournamentMoroccoPoland
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
Hakimi and Bounou Named in Club World Cup Best XI
Moroccan stars Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou have been named in the team of the week following the conclusion of the Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 in the United States, according to DAZN football The Paris Saint-Germain right-back scored in a 4–0 demolition of Inter Miami, while Bounou delivered a Marvel-like performance for Al Hilal, making over ten crucial saves in a dramatic 4–3 extra-time victory against Manchester City. Joining them in the tournament's standout XI are Al Hilal's Coulibaly, Chelsea's Reece James, Palmeiras' Thiago Silva, and PSG's João Neves. The midfield also features Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), and Fran García (Real Madrid), with a potent attack led by Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) and Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund). The eight teams remaining in the competition now gear up for a mouth-watering set of quarterfinal ties: Fluminense vs Al Hilal Friday, July 4 – 08:00 PM GMT+1, Orlando The Brazilians face a resurgent Al Hilal fresh off their shock victory over Manchester City. Palmeiras vs Chelsea Friday, July 4 – 02:00 AM GMT+1, Philadelphia Chelsea, desperate for silverware after a dismal English Premier League season, meet a defensively sound Palmeiras side. PSG vs Bayern Munich Saturday, July 5 – 05:00 PM GMT+1, Atlanta A blockbuster European showdown, with Hakimi and Neves facing off against Kane and Bayern's mighty attack. Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Saturday, July 5 – 09:00 PM GMT+1, New Jersey A rematch of the 2024 Champions League final. All eyes will be on Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham as they return to MetLife Stadium, which will host the 2026 World Cup final. The road to the Club World Cup final is now wide open – and brimming with drama. Tags: Achraf HakimiClub World CupUnited Statesyassine bounou
Morocco World
4 hours ago
- Morocco World
Jorge Vilda: Morocco's Women's Team Fully Ready for WAFCON
Rabat – Jorge Vilda Rodriguez, the coach of Morocco's women's national football team, has renewed confidence in his players, noting that they are talented, motivated, and ready for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The tournament will take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26. 'The team's morale is very high, and the players are excited to begin the competition. We've prepared well for these matches, and the group is very cohesive. There's a great atmosphere within the squad,' Vilda said. The national coach acknowledged the challenges ahead as Morocco's women's team falls into Group A, which includes Senegal, Zambia, and the DRC. While conceding that the group is the toughest of the three in this WAFCON, he said he is confident that the Lionesses will deliver and receive support from a large crowd at home. He also expressed satisfaction with the current level of the team, which he says has progressed significantly as a result of consistent hard work. 'Our first match will be against Zambia, a team that has made a lot of progress in recent years and whose players compete in top leagues, such as Racheal Kundanaji, Hellen Chanda, and Barbara Banda.' 'They're tough opponents, but we have the necessary tools to counter them,' he said, noting that his squad is ready and excited to start the tournament. Team captain Ghizlane Chebbak also stressed the players' readiness for the competition, noting that the Atlas Lionesses are focused on the opening match against Zambia. 'I hope we'll be 100% ready and focused for it,' she said. Morocco's game against Zambia will take place on Saturday at 9 p.m. Moroccan time. The tournament groups are Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, and Group C with South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Zambia. Tags: Futsal WAFCONWAFCON
