Wydad Fans Confront President Hicham Ait Menna: “Enough Showmanship, We Want Results”

The frustration among Wydad Casablanca fans has reached a boiling point following a disastrous run in the FIFA Club World Cup, where the team lost all three of its group stage matches, culminating in a humiliating defeat against Al Ain. What was meant to be a proud representation of Moroccan football on a global stage turned into a deep embarrassment — and supporters are now demanding accountability from the top.

The blame is falling heavily on Wydad’s president, Hicham Ait Menna, whose leadership style and priorities have come under fierce scrutiny. Many fans feel his presence has brought more confusion than clarity, more image than impact.

In a moment that captured the growing disconnect between the club’s leadership and its loyal supporters, a member of Wydad’s most passionate ultras group — the Winners — confronted Ait Menna just outside the Audi Field stadium in Washington, D.C., one hour before kickoff. The fan did not hold back, telling the president face-to-face what thousands of others have been voicing online and in the stands: “The fans are fed up. This is not the Wydad we support. You need to do something — now.”

A President Out of Touch?

What angered fans even more was the timing and optics of Ait Menna’s casual stroll among supporters so close to match time. For many, it felt like an empty gesture — a president trying to act “cool” and relatable instead of focusing on the team’s performance and mental preparedness.

“Walking around taking pictures with fans an hour before a crucial match? Is that leadership or showboating?” one fan posted on social media. “He should have been in the locker room, backing the coach and players, not parading like a celebrity.”

No Wins, No Plan

Wydad’s campaign in the Club World Cup was nothing short of a disaster. Three games, three losses, zero points. The team looked unprepared, disorganized, and emotionally disconnected — a reflection, many say, of a club with no clear plan or vision under its current leadership.

The last game, a 3-0 loss to Al Ain, was the final straw. Not only did the team fail tactically, but it showed no fighting spirit, no urgency, and no identity. For a club with Wydad’s history and prestige, this is unacceptable.

Fans Demand Accountability

The mood among Wydad’s global fanbase — especially in the diaspora — is one of deep disappointment and anger. They are no longer interested in public appearances or vague promises. The demand is simple: results and transparency.

Wydad fans want to know:

• What is the club’s sporting strategy?
• Why was there no clear plan going into this tournament?
• What changes will be made to avoid another international embarrassment?

Time for Real Work

If Hicham Ait Menna wants to win back the trust of Wydad supporters, he needs to stop focusing on appearances and start focusing on performance. Fans are not asking for selfies — they are asking for structure, discipline, and ambition.

This is not just about losing games. This is about losing identity.

Unless real action is taken — starting with leadership accountability and clear communication — Wydad risks slipping into a deeper crisis that no PR walk among fans can fix.