Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun

“A stadium bathed in the Casablanca sun.” That’s how many remember Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun. Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun isn’t just a sports center. It’s a testament to the spirit of Wydad Athletic Club and a symbol of Moroccan sports history. Officially opened in 1955, Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun began as a simple field. It transformed into a true complex in 1979 thanks to Abderrazak Mekouar. Mekouar envisioned a hub for Wydad AC’s athletic training. He also dreamt of hosting competitions, especially the inaugural Mini World Cup in 1980. This event, brainchild of Mekouar, cemented the complex’s place in sporting history. The complex was renamed in honor of Haj Mohamed Benjelloun Touimi, Wydad AC’s founder and first president, at the behest of King Hassan II himself. This marked a significant moment. Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun became the first sports center in Morocco owned by a sports club. Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun is much more than just fields. It houses the club’s training center, a weight room, and four grassy pitches alongside a mini-football field. There’s also a table tennis room, four stands with a capacity exceeding 15,000, and another stand for mini-football holding 5,000. Numerous locker rooms cater to the club’s diverse teams. Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun underwent a complete renovation in 2009 and further improvements since 2019. Today, it’s a vital hub, particularly for Wydad AC’s women’s teams. It also supports the youth football school and other sports disciplines. Complexe Sportif Haj Mohamed Benjelloun has seen memorable matches. Beyond local competitions, it hosted the Mini World Cup and numerous international friendlies. One notable example is the under-21 match between Wydad AC and Osaka Tūdin. This complex continues to nurture athletic talent and fuel the passion for sport in Casablanca.