The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage is drawing to a close for two participants who, despite their best efforts, find themselves exiting the tournament at the earliest opportunity. Moroccan side Wydad AC and Al Ain FC from the UAE are set to face off in their final Group G fixture, a match that, while holding no implications for qualification, offers a chance to salvage some pride and potentially avoid concluding their campaigns without a single point.
Group G proved unforgiving, featuring European heavyweights Manchester City and Juventus, both of whom have comfortably advanced to the next round. Wydad and Al Ain, unfortunately, found themselves on the receiving end of some rather emphatic scorelines. Wydad suffered defeats to Manchester City (2-0) and Juventus (4-1), while Al Ain`s journey was even tougher, experiencing heavy losses against Juventus (5-0) and Manchester City (6-0). Facing such formidable opposition was always going to be a significant challenge, and the results, while perhaps stark, reflect the current landscape of global club football.
With qualification out of reach, the stakes for this final match shift from advancement to avoiding the ignominy of zero points. Both teams sit at the bottom of the group with identical records of zero points from two matches. Wydad holds a slight edge in goal difference (-5 compared to Al Ain`s -11), but ultimately, a point or three is the real objective here. For Al Ain, this match carries an additional specific goal: they are the only side in the group yet to find the back of the net and will be desperate to score just once before departing the tournament. Their striker, Kodjo Laba, has shown some attacking intent despite the difficult circumstances and will be a key player to watch as they push forward.
This consolation clash is scheduled for Thursday, June 26th, with a kickoff time of 3 p.m. ET. The match will take place at Audi Field in Washington D.C., providing a neutral ground for this final encounter. While the intense pressure of qualification is off, the desire to finish the tournament on a positive note, perhaps by securing a point or two and avoiding further heavy defeats, remains. For fans, this match offers a look at two sides who have struggled against top-tier opposition but still possess individual quality capable of producing an interesting, potentially more open, contest now that defensive rigidity might be slightly less paramount.
Predicting the outcome of a match between two eliminated teams fighting for pride can be tricky. Both have shown defensive frailties, conceding a combined 17 goals in just four matches. However, the lack of qualification pressure might allow for more attacking freedom. Al Ain`s strong desire to score their first goal, coupled with Wydad`s need to finish strongly, could lead to an entertaining affair. A high-scoring draw, perhaps mirroring the predicted scoreline of 2-2, feels plausible as both teams push forward but remain vulnerable at the back. Regardless of the result, both Wydad and Al Ain will be aiming to leave the Club World Cup with something positive to take away, be it a point, a goal, or simply a performance that restores some confidence.
Dominic Ashworth