Raja CA refuse early departure for Houssine Rahimi to join brother and Al Ain for Club World Cup

Emirati club Al Ain are preparing for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a substantial African influence in the squad but one new signing appears unlikely to join the club in the United States. Forward Houssine Rahimi, brother of Morocco national team goal scorer Soufiane, is set to stay with current club Raja Casblanca until his contract expires on June 30.

Despite Raja’s struggles in the 2024-25 season, the 23-year-old younger Rahimi boosted his reputation with a breakout season by scoring 11 goals in 22 league matches for the Green Eagles. Al Ain agreed to a deal with Houssine to join his brother Soufiane at the big spenders for a free transfer but Raja have refused to grant an early departure without substantial compensation.

Al Ain decided to register Houssine Rahimi in its Club World Cup squad despite the circumstances, a move that prompted Raja to reject any possibility of an early departure. The club from the United Arab Emirates offered $400,000 according to Arabic-language media sources but Raja want higher compensation.

Another similar example is the case of Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold, for whom Real Madrid paid Liverpool $8 million to have the England international join the Merengues in the USA before his contract expired at the end of the month.

Al Ain have eleven African players registered in its squad not including Houssine Rahimi. Soufiane Rahimi and Togolese striker Kodjo Laba headline Al Ain’s African group while former Al Ahly central defender Rami Rabia and French-Moroccan attacker Nassim Chadli have recently joined the club to be available in the USA.

In Group G, Al Ain begin play on June 18 against Italian giants Juventus before facing Manchester City four days later. They conclude the group stage against Morocco’s Wydad AC on June 26.