FIFA has announced that every team in the tournament will have its official anthem played before matches. That includes Wydad Casablanca, who are in a tough group with Manchester City, Juventus and Al Ain.
Each club has been asked to send in an anthem that reflects its history and identity. The idea is to create a more personal and exciting pre-match atmosphere for both players and fans.
That’s not the only change. For the first round of group games, teams will also get to pick a club legend or their current captain to announce the starting line-up over the stadium speakers.
And there’s more. FIFA is also bringing back Freed from Desire – the ’90s hit that became a terrace anthem after Wigan fans gave it a football twist in 2016. The song will play in every match and be part of the tournament’s broadcasts.
“Fans made this song a football classic,” FIFA said. “We want to honour that.”
The tournament will kick off with a big opening ceremony next Saturday at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium. The show starts at 7:15 p.m. local time (just after midnight in Morocco) and will feature performances from the Moroccan rapper French Montana and Swae Lee.
The concert will be streamed live and free on DAZN and marks the start of what FIFA says will be the biggest Club World Cup yet, with 32 teams playing across 11 cities in the US.
But it’s not just about music and festivities.
The opening and halftime shows will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100 million to help children around the world get access to quality education and football.
One dollar from every ticket sold will go to the fund.
“We’re going to bring the world together for a beautiful moment,” said singer Tems, who joins J Balvin and Doja Cat for the final’s halftime show.
