Wydad is eliminated in sporting terms, but it qualified diplomatically.
Youssef Saïssi Hassani /
Yes, Wydad Athletic Club was eliminated from the group stage of the inaugural edition of the new FIFA Club World Cup hosted in the United States after suffering back-to-back defeats against European giants Manchester City and Juventus. However, in light of this setback, the red team provided a significant diplomatic service to Morocco by uniting Wydad enthusiasts and Moroccans in America during the “Mondialito” days. Cities like New York and neighboring New Jersey, as well as Philadelphia, with its football stronghold Lincoln Financial Field hosting the first two matches of coach Ameen Benhashim’s squad, witnessed a Moroccan gathering that could justify a multimillion-dollar budget for its organization—something hard to achieve otherwise. Wydad’s participation in this first edition of the FIFA Club World Cup contributed to this “political” accomplishment, which may compensate for the athletic failure in the days or months following the tournament and be remembered by all Moroccans for decades.
What “Express TV” observed regarding Moroccan gatherings before, during, and after Wydad’s matches in the aforementioned cities and their tourist attractions was remarkable. Families settling in New York and various American cities, with no link to football or sports passion, traveled great distances and spent their money for one reason: to wave the Moroccan flag and breathe in the aroma of their homeland among compatriots. They made the long journey by road, sea, and air simply to share greetings and hugs that embody Moroccan warmth—whether they knew each other or not. They felt like children of their kingdom, connected through the “smell of the country” that can only be fulfilled by mingling with its sons and daughters.
The love for Morocco passes through generations, and parents are the crucial link. What “Express TV” witnessed among the Moroccan community in America demonstrated that despite the thousands of kilometers between them and the cities of Morocco, Moroccans in America spare no effort in instilling love for their homeland in their children born in the land of opportunity. They maintain their connection by speaking Moroccan Darija, living through Islamic traditions, and preserving their national identity by heart. Even though they reside permanently in a country that holds the leading position when discussing success, our brothers and sisters from the community continually advocate for Morocco’s identity, spiritually and politically. Despite its sporting elimination, Wydad’s contribution played a significant role in renewing this identity once more through sports diplomacy, despite the bitter taste of its football exit.
