Manchester City is kicking off their Club World Cup journey on Wednesday against Moroccan team Wydad AC in Philadelphia. They're aiming to win their second Club World Cup in a row.
They're in Group G, which also includes Italian giants Juventus and Al-Ain from the United Arab Emirates. For City, anything less than a top-two finish would be a huge disappointment.
City fans are hoping that the tough times their team has faced will make them stronger. The 2024-25 season was one they'd rather forget quickly. Their only success last season was an early Community Shield win.
They lost the Premier League title to Liverpool, were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, and suffered a heartbreaking FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace.
On top of that, the club is still facing a looming verdict over 115 charges. However, focusing on what they can control, manager Pep Guardiola and the club's transfer team have been busy spending big this summer.
Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders have already joined, with Cherki and Reijnders expected to help fill the void left by Kevin De Bruyne's creativity. More new players are expected before the new domestic season begins.
Technically, Manchester City are the defending Club World Cup champions, having won the 2023 edition comfortably. FIFA then introduced the Intercontinental Cup as a temporary replacement in 2024.
While Manchester City has one Club World Cup trophy, their opponents, Wydad AC, have a bit more experience in the tournament. This will be their third appearance. The Moroccan powerhouse, with a record 22 domestic titles, first played in the CWC in 2017-18, losing the fifth-place match. They were then knocked out in the second round in 2022-23.
Wydad qualified for this expanded tournament by winning the CAF Champions League in the 2021-22 season. However, the team, led by Mohamed Amine Benhachem, has a lot to improve upon from the past two seasons.
They finished only third in the Moroccan league in 2024-25, and in the 2023-24 CAF Champions League, they were eliminated in the group stage for the first time ever.
They also recently lost two friendly matches to European teams Porto and Sevilla, though only by a single goal each time. For Wednesday's match, their main goal will likely be to keep the score as close as possible.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
All four of Manchester City's new players, Reijnders, Cherki, Ait-Nouri, and backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli—have traveled to the USA. It's almost certain that the first three will make their debuts in Philadelphia.
John Stones, who has been battling injuries, also made the trip despite a thigh injury that kept him out at the end of last season. However, Mateo Kovacic was left at home to recover from a heel issue.
With a match against Juventus coming up in just eight days, Guardiola, known for rotating his squad, might opt for a somewhat second-string lineup. However, it's anyone's guess how he'll ultimately set up his team.
As for Wydad AC, their 29-player squad includes veteran winger Nordin Amrabat. The 38-year-old joined the Moroccan side last month after leaving Hull City. Amrabat might link up with former PSV Eindhoven youngster Mohamed Rayhi in attack. Rayhi was Wydad's top scorer last season with 11 league goals.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Man City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Reijnders, Gonzalez; Cherki, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Wydad AC possible starting lineup:
El Motie; Moufi, Meijers, Harkass, Boucheta; Malsa, Moubarik; Amrabat, Arthur, Rayhi; Obeng
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester City 3-0 Wydad
