On 8 May 1937, in a Casablanca under French protectorate, a group of Moroccans founded a club that was their own from day one. On 8 May 2027 Wydad turns 90. And the most striking thing is that it all began not on a pitch, but in a swimming pool.

It all began in a swimming pool

In the 1930s the pools at Casablanca's port were practically closed to local people. To get in you had to be a member of a European-run club, and Moroccans who joined were often expelled.

So the idea was born of a club for Moroccans only, with water polo as its first section. The colonial authorities first said no, and permission finally came with conditions. French Wikipedia states that Sultan Mohammed V personally gave his approval.

The founder and first president was Mohamed Benjelloun Touimi, and the founders included people from the independence movement. That is why Wydad is still seen today as "the Club of the Resistance" and "the Club of the Nation".

A name that means love

The word Wydad means "love" or "sincere affection" in Arabic. According to the popular version, one member turned up late to the first meeting because he had gone to see a film called "Wedad" starring the legendary Egyptian singer Umm Kulthum.

Sources disagree on who the latecomer was: some say Mohammed Massis, others Benjelloun himself. The word "Casablanca" was deliberately left out of the official name, because the club wanted to represent all Moroccans.

From the water to the pitch

Basketball followed in 1937, and the football section started in 1939. The first general director and coach was Père Jégo, who guided the early teams.

The first trophy came almost immediately, with a 3-2 win over US Marocaine in the 1940 Super Cup. The first league title was won in 1948 and the first Throne Cup in 1970.

Red, the colour of the Castle

Since its founding Wydad has played its home games in a red shirt, with white as its second colour. The sources we found do not explain why red was chosen, but it became the club's identity.

It also gave rise to one of the finest nicknames in Africa, "The Red Castle". Fans also call the club "The Dean" and "The Leader", and the official website speaks of a city united under the red colours.

Africa at its feet

Wydad has won the CAF Champions League three times. The first came in 1992 against Al-Hilal, the second in 2017 and the third in 2022, with a 2-1 win over Al Ahly at the Stade Mohammed V and two goals from Zouhair El Moutaraji.

There were bitter nights too, with lost finals against Espérance in 2011 and 2019. In 2025 the club represented Morocco at the FIFA Club World Cup.

The red shirt has been worn by Badou Zaki, the only goalkeeper ever to win the African Ballon d'Or, in 1986. Larbi Aherdane, Aziz Bouderbala and Pétchou also stand out, and the team shares the Stade Mohammed V with its great rival, Raja.

Celebrate with us

Wydad's red shirt is not just a football kit. It is a piece of Morocco's history, born from one generation's wish to have a club of its own.

Happy birthday, Wydad! Ninety years of love, just as your name says.

See our collectible jerseys at sportarena.gr.

Photo: The Wydad Athletic Club team in 1949 – unknown photographer, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.