Wydad AC

Creation and early Wydad (1937–1940)

The origin of the establishment of Wydad Athletic Club on resistance the colonialism that was imposed by the French authorities during the era of protectorate in Morocco, since before the independence of Morocco, the port of Casablanca was surrounded by a large number of swimming pools that were dedicated to clubs and sports associations only, and the Europeans were the ones who can supervise them. During beginning of the 1935, many Moroccans joined athletic clubs to gain access to private swimming pools, but most were soon expelled by colonial authorities fearing an increase in their numbers in the clubs. This gave rise to the idea of establishing a Moroccan club led by Moroccans only, which could operate swimming pools and participate in water polo competitions.

The idea of establishing Wydad Athletic Club was not as easy as it could be imagined, as all the members of the original core, including Hajj Mohamed Benjelloun Touimi and Hajj Dr. Abdellatif Benjelloun Touimi, suffered from the continued rejection and intransigence of the French authorities to the idea of establishing a "full Moroccan club", which prompted them to resort to the Franco-Moroccan Association, in order to amend the matters related to registering the club's name, after which the General Resident in Morocco at the time, Maurice Nogues, personally intervened to allow the establishment of Wydad Athletic Club, but with specific conditions.

Wydad (وِداد) is an Arabic word that means "love" or "sincere affection." During the frequent meetings which led to the creation of the club, one of the founding members arrived late after watching the latest film of the legendary Egyptian singer and actress Umm Kulthum with the same name, though Latinized as Weddad, as it coincided with this answer that Zaghrouda set out from one of the neighboring houses to the meeting place, the attendees were optimistic about it, and Hajj Mohamed Ben Lahcen Affani expressed his support for choosing this name, but the intervention of some of the attendees led to a postponement for the final decision on the name of the club, except after the presence of a large number of managers and players, as the name was approved after holding a general gathering, the result was the suggestion and choice of the name "Wydad Athletic Club", as a name for the club without the inclusion of the word "Casablanca" because the club represents all Moroccans, not just the residents of the city of Casablanca.

Wydad played its first game against defending champion USM Casablanca as part of the first day of the championship in what is a criterion of war in September 1939. This meeting was the first of Wydad ended in defeat with a score of two goals to one. The first scorer was Abdelkader Lakhmiri. During this first season Wydad it was not a championship that was played but a true test of war called cutting war because of the Second World War. The first edition of this competition was played so in the context of the 1939–40 season and ended with a victory for the USM Casablanca facing the new team what Wydad. One who had played his first match against USM and had also faced rematch is still faced in the final after an incredible journey that has to qualify. The meeting was ended with a score of 1–0 at Stade Philippe to Casablanca. In 1939–40, they were champions of Chaouia League, winners of the Moroccan Super Cup, and runners-up in the Moroccan Cup. The following season, Wydad was beaten by the Olympia Khouribga 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

Promotion and Honour Division (1941–1947)

Despite Morocco's engagement in World War II (which included combat theatre within country) the local authorities (under the orders of the Vichy regime) continue to host and hold local championships. Wydad competed in these war-time competitions during the early years of the war during which time many Moroccan soldiers traveled to France to defend France from foreign aggression.

After playing two seasons under war-time conditions, the French authorities under the orders of the Vichy regime decided to expand the competition and divide teams into two divisions and impose a European-style relegation/promotion system. Wydad, a fledgling club composed of uncelebrated locals, was initially relegated to the second division and not the first. Despite admirably competing against established clubs, placement in the second division was ratified by a federation dominated by clubs already competing in the first division. Despite these injustices, Wydad managed to be the first in their pool and eligible for promotion to the first division after a 1-nil victory between the dam at Ittihad Ribati. In an attempt to impede promotion, the federation decided to force the club to play another game. The federation selected the Athletic Union of Meknes. This encounter was played behind closed doors in Meknes and during the month of Ramadan. The opposing team for this competition was composed not of local Muslims, but of non-Muslim foreigners. The reasoning for scheduling such additional match with a non-Muslim club during Ramadan remains unconfirmed, but inherently suspicious. After successfully defeating opponents both on and off the pitch, the club's promotion to the top flight was confirmed by the federation. The defining moment during this time was a 12th minute goal by Ben Messaoud as the visiting club defeated the Meknes.

1941–42: Champion of Moroccan Championship D2