Manchester City are set to debut in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup against Moroccan side Wydad and it could be the start of a new era at the club.
Man City predicted line-up vs Wydad
Man City (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, Gundogan; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Following a surprisingly negative season, Manchester City will have a shot at silverware in the new version of the FIFA Club World Cup. They actually won the last edition, back in 2023, after defeating Brazilian side and Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense.
Their upcoming debut against Wydad, from Morocco, will also be the start of a new era at the club. Kevin De Bruyne has officially left for Napoli and new signings Tijjani Reinjders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri could all make their first appearances for the Citizens.
Read more: Man City vs Wydad predictions, odds and betting tips
Manchester City team news vs Wydad
Pep Guardiola has a chance to start moulding his new squad for the 2025-26 campaign earlier than usual, as the Club World Cup group stage could act as a “pre-pre-season”. Considering the lower level of competition from Wydad and Al-Ain, their first two opponents, it looks like the perfect opportunity to experiment with different formations and combinations as they prepare to come back in style after a rather disappointing last 10 months.
For this ‘new era’, Mateo Kovacic will be the only injury absence, while Jack Grealish was left out of the squad and James McAtee chose to represent England at the under 21 level. John Stones may not be quite at 100% but still traveled with the squad to the United States and could participate in the tournament.
PSG and Bayern Munich started their campaigns off in style by winning 4-0 and 10-0, respectively, and the Citizens are expected to follow suit in both of their first games in the Club World Cup. Juventus also endured a turbulent season and Man City would certainly be favoured against them as well. The group stage looks like it will be a walk in the park for Pep Guardiola’s men – a nice way to start and rotate the team to keep everyone fresh in what will be a hot American summer.
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Erling Haaland for ‘redemption’?
The Manchester City number nine scored 31 goals in 44 games across all competitions in 2024-25 and that would be considered awesome for most strikers in the world. However, he is not like all the other forwards and has established a very high bar for himself since his Red Bull Salzburg days.
He’s been delivering less and less goals for the Citizens in each season (52 in the first one, 38 in the second and 31 in the third), but will certainly look to bounce back and has already gotten going during the international break for Norway, helping his country defeat Italy and Estonia.
The Club World Cup will present an even more favourable context for him to find his best form once again and defences set to face him should definitely be worried.