Wydad Casablanca Faces Juventus: A Key Battle in Club World Cup 2025
Complete preview of Juventus vs Wydad Casablanca in FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Expected lineups, key players, streaming options, and match analysis
Italian giants Juventus prepare to face African champions Wydad Casablanca in a high-stakes FIFA Club World Cup encounter that promises tactical intrigue and continental rivalry. This quarter-final matchup brings together contrasting football philosophies as European sophistication meets African passion.
Team News & Expected Lineups
Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus enter the tournament with near-full squad availability. The Italian tactician faces selection dilemmas in attack where rising star Kenan Yıldız competes with Federico Chiesa for the left-wing position.
Juventus (Probable 3-5-2)
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
- Defenders: Danilo, Bremer, Gatti
- Midfielders: Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic
- Forwards: Vlahović, Chiesa
Key Absence: Moise Kean (muscle strain)
Wydad Casablanca (Probable 4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Yahia Attiyat Allah
- Defenders: El Amloud, Benoun, Dari, Haddad
- Midfielders: Jabrane, El Ouadi
- Attackers: Saidi, El Hassouni, Chetti
- Striker: El Kaabi
Key Absence: Zouhair El Moutaraji (suspension)
Tactical Analysis
Juventus will likely dominate possession through their midfield trio of Locatelli, Rabiot, and McKennie, looking to exploit Wydad's flanks with overlapping wingbacks. The Moroccan champions, meanwhile, will rely on compact defensive organization and rapid counter-attacks through winger Reda Chetti.
Key tactical battle will feature Juventus' aerial dominance against Wydad's physical center-back pairing of Nayef Aguerd and Amine Aboulfath. The Italian side has scored 38% of their goals from set pieces this season, while Wydad boasts the best defensive record in CAF Champions League history.
Strategic Insight: Wydad must disrupt Juve's midfield rhythm early to have any chance. If Rabiot and Locatelli establish control in the first 20 minutes, the gulf in technical quality could prove decisive.
Match Information & Streaming
Date & Time
June 25, 2025
21:30 IST (India)
16:00 GMT
Venue
King Abdullah Sports City
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Capacity: 62,345
Referee
Daniele Orsato (Italy)
VAR: Marco Di Bello (Italy)
Live Streaming Information
India: FanCode (mobile/web), JioTV
Global: FIFA+ (selected regions), Paramount+ (USA), DAZN (Europe)
Middle East: SSC Sports (Saudi Arabia), beIN Sports
Free Broadcast: Tubi (USA), BBC iPlayer (UK highlights)
Historical Context
This encounter marks the first competitive meeting between Juventus and any Moroccan club. The Bianconeri seek their first Club World Cup title since 1996, while Wydad aims to become the first African finalists since Raja Casablanca's 2013 campaign.
For Juventus, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 stands as a vital chance to redeem their turbulent season following a fourth-place finish in Serie A. On the other hand, Wydad Casablanca enters the tournament riding high on continental pride after their thrilling CAF Champions League triumph over Al Ahly.
Expert View: "Wydad's physical approach could trouble Juventus initially, but the Italians' superior technical quality should prevail over 90 minutes. Expect a 2-0 victory for the Turin giants with goals coming in different halves." - Marco Rossi, Calcio Analyst
What's at Stake?
The winner advances to face South American champions Flamengo in the semi-finals. For Wydad, progression would represent Africa's strongest Club World Cup showing in a decade. Juventus view this tournament as essential for restoring European prestige after recent Champions League disappointments.
Commercial implications are equally significant - the tournament victor receives approximately $12 million in prize money plus substantial sponsorship bonuses. Both clubs also seek global exposure to expand their international fanbases.
