Amrabat & Rayhi lead Wydad's Club World Cup challenge against giants

The Club World Cup leaves room for potential upsets, but also for predictable outcomes. Wydad Casablanca are facing the impossible in the summer's big football event. The Moroccan side were not lucky in the draw, as they will have to face Manchester City and Juventus in the group stage.

Amine Benhachem's project is unknown to the general public, but they will be making their chances in a section that is already trembling before it has even begun. With Nordin Amrabat just called up and Mohamed Rayhi as a name to be reckoned with, the Africans will be hoping to put up a fight and defend their participation in this Club World Cup with dignity.

Squad list

Players to watch

With thirteen goals to his name - eleven in the league - Mohamed Rayhi is the player to analyse for Wydad Casablanca. Formed in the PSV youth academy, this winger forged his first steps in the Eredivisie with NEC Nijmegen. Such was his breakthrough that he caught the eye of Sparta Rotterdam, where he scored thirteen goals and provided ten assists in the 2018-19 season. Years later, he tried his luck in Saudi Arabia with Al Batin and Al Jabalain. And in the United Arab Emirates with Al Dhafra. Until he ended up in Moroccan football.

Amine Benhachem has found the place of the “8” on either side. The possible presence of Nordin Amrabat in the other profile and Samu Obeng in the reference are the complements to which the star is clinging to who intends to surprise in this Club World Cup. Manchester City and Juventus have too much of an advantage, but Wydad Casablanca will be hoping to capitalise on their match against Al Ain and make their chances in the USA count. Their priorities are to dignify their participation and leave their country in good stead.

Coach

Amine Benhachem is Wydad Casablanca's bet for the Club World Cup. The Moroccan coach made his debut on 3 May and has just four official matches under his belt. So far, he has won three league games and the 1-2 win over Stade Marocain in the Excellence Cup. However, the statistics are tricky. In the friendly matches in preparation for the big summer fixture, defeats against Sevilla and Porto by the same scoreline: 0-1.

Peque made the difference for Sevilla in the match in which Yassine Bounou was honoured. Against the Portuguese, Samu Aghehowa was on target before heading to the Spanish national team for the Nations League. The consolation for the Wydad Casablanca coach is that his team was tactically sound in both matches. A solid unit in defence, with equal parts limitations and strengths in midfield and with their main asset in attack.

Group stage fixtures

Matchday 1

Wydad Casablanca kick off their Club World Cup campaign against Manchester City at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Wednesday 18 June. The African side will take out the giants of their group at the first hurdle. A double-edged sword to start with.

Matchday 2 

On Sunday 22 June, at the same time and in the same stadium as their opener, Juventus will be awaiting Amine Benhachem's side. Depending on their result against Pep Guardiola's side, they may or may not be able to make their American dream of reaching the direct knockout rounds of the Club World Cup a reality.

Matchday 3

Wydad Casablanca will face Al Ain, the most “soft ” opponent on the route map. Washington DC's Audi Field will be the venue for the decider on Thursday 26 June. On paper, both will have little chance of staying in the competition.

POSSIBLE STARTING XI