Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) captain Jamal Harkass has opened up on his team’s burning ambition ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, set to take place from June 14 to July 13.
The Moroccan giants face brutal group-stage games in Group G, after drawing Manchester City, Juventus, and Al Ain. But Harkass insists his squad is ready to go all-out against the biggest clubs.
“The players are looking forward to these matches,” said Harkass to FIFA, “and we are already working hard to get ready for them.”
Facing Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City lingers in the player’s minds. The Cityzens have dominated the English Premier League in recent years, and won the Champions League in 2023, while they have suffered a poor run of form this season. They boast world-class players the likes of goal-scoring machine Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, and Joško Gvardiol.
“No doubt, Manchester City will be a tough match considering they’re former European champions,” Harkass said. “We have to play at a high level without mistakes, as it’s one of those matches that will be won on small details.”
Harkass wants to emulate the fairytale run of Morocco national team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and hopes to bring the same pride to the tournament. “The players are aware of their responsibility and, God willing, we’ll perform at a level that brings honour to Moroccan football,” he said.
WAC’s coach, Rulani Mokwena has pushed the team to new heights. After a rocky start of the season, the Casablanca-based club is finding momentum after an unbeaten run in the last five matches, and trail 15 points behind leaders RS Berkane. Mokwena found his first days in the club quite difficult after a wave of new recruits joined the team during the summer transfer window. The new additions are finally building up chemistry and finding their feet in the Botola Pro league.
“He’s a great coach. He always motivates us to give more on the pitch, and that’s an incentive for us to do our best to prepare for the Club World Cup,” Harkass said.
As club captain, Harkass takes his role seriously, always pushing his teammates to honour the club’s legacy and entertain its die-hard supporters.
“I always tell my teammates that when representing a big club like Wydad, you have to respect the club’s history and fans by giving your all on the pitch,” said Harkass. “That’s how you achieve good results and deliver your best in the African tournaments and the FIFA Club World Cup. We hope to have a great tournament and live up to the Moroccan public’s expectations.”
WAC earned their ticket to the Club World Cup after beating Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0 in the final of the CAF Champions League back in 2022. Now, the Reds are ready to take up a bigger, new challenge on the global stage.
