Wydad exit FIFA Club World Cup without a point following defeat to Al Ain

Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

With only pride and prize money to play for on Thursday, Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club exited the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with zero points after falling 1-2 to Emirati club Al Ain in Washington, D.C.

Paraguayan playmaker Kaku's goal early in the second half condemned Wydad to three defeats from three matches in Group G, during which the Casablanca club could only manage two goals while conceding eight.

It was a dream start for Wydad and there were positive signs early on. In the 4th minute, right back Mohammed Moufid found space on the flank and cut back a low cross to find Cassius Mailula at the edge of the Al Ain penalty area. The South African proceeded to launch a fierce shot that left Al Ain goalkeeper Rui Patrício with no chance to stop the ball at his near post.

It seemed like Wydad might be able to impose themselves on a demoralized Al Ain team who had an even worse record through their opening two games. A brilliant team movement in the 24th minute saw Thembinkosi Lorch set up Ayoub Boucheta but the left back fired his shot off the crossbar and over the goal.

And after that some bad luck led to Wydad's downfall. At the end of the first half, Boucheta was backing up to retreat into his penalty area but appeared to not see the run of Adis Jašić before tripping up the Al Ain fullback. A VAR review led to a penalty kick and Togolese striker extraordinaire Kodjo Laba made no mistake putting his spot kick past Wydad keeper El Mehdi Benabid.

With Wydad's fragile confidence shaken, early in the second half it was Al Ain who seized the advantage. In the 50th minute, Laba's pass led to an opportunity for Matías Palacios. The midfielder's attempt to score failed but Kaku was there to follow up and curl in a perfect finish past Benabid.

Wydad struggled to regain the form they displayed in the first half and Al Ain continued to look like the more dangerous team before the final whistle signaled a victory. Both teams exit the competition after a firm but valuable learning experience against European elite clubs Manchester City and Juventus ahead of their 2025-26 campaigns.

Final Group G Table

	Points	GD
Manchester City	9	+11
Juventus	6	+5
Al Ain	3	-10
Wydad AC	0	-6

• Manchester City and Juventus qualify for the Round of 16. Al Ain and Wydad AC are eliminated from the competition.