Wydad playing for 'a flag, a nation and millions of hearts'

Manchester City begin their Club World Cup campaign against Wydad AC on Wednesday - a match that will "ignite the passion" of the whole of Morocco.

Wydad come in as champions of the north African nation and a number of supporters have travelled over from Casablanca.

They were seen singing and dancing in downtown Philadelphia in the lead-up to the game.

"We are here not only as Wydad Athletic Club, but as representatives of a nation that has made history in world football," chairman Hicham Ait Menna told BBC Sport.

"Morocco's supporters amazed the world during the 2022 World Cup and we hope to carry that same spirit here.

"We know that if we achieve a strong performance or a positive result, it will ignite the passion of the entire country behind us for the rest of the tournament.

"We are playing for a flag, for a nation, for millions of hearts."

City go into the contest as heavy favourites and Ait Menna added: "Let's be clear, if Manchester City wins, it will be considered a normal result.

"But if Wydad wins, it will be a historic moment. We believe that in this game, only Wydad has the opportunity to create an upset.

"Our expectations are clear - to give everything on the pitch, to honour the badge and to show that African clubs can stand with the best."