Manchester City arrived at the Club World Cup as one of the three main favorites to lift the trophy, alongside Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Despite a season full of setbacks, injuries, and defeats—the worst since Pep Guardiola took over at the Etihad—many see this tournament as a golden chance to salvage the 2024/25 campaign by climbing to the top of the world.City were drawn into a group with Juventus, Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, and Al Ain from the UAE. Their journey in the United States begins with a 19.00 kickoff against the side from Casablanca. One day before the match, Guardiola appeared before the press—and interestingly, showed up 25 minutes early to the press room. Clearly, he was eager to talk, and once the questions began, it became obvious he had plenty to say. What followed was a long and insightful talk from the Spaniard, who brought a full-strength 27-man squad across the Atlantic.Warming up for Wydad 📶@FIFACWC | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | https://t.co/qHE6dSCgcV | #FIFACWC | #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/RZccsWdfSn— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 16, 2025 “This is a tournament where every player will get a chance to play,” said Guardiola, adding, “I don’t know how far we’ll go, but everyone will be involved. Of course, some more, some less—but every player will feature.”Guardiola’s new assistant is none other than his namesake and former Liverpool right-hand man Pep Lijnders. Klopp’s tactical brain has now become Guardiola’s weapon in City’s push to reclaim the Premier League crown. The Spanish mastermind spoke about the hiring process with admiration.“We spoke with Jurgen—not about Pep Lijnders specifically. It was a different conversation, a long one. At one point, I mentioned I was thinking about Lijnders, and Klopp gave me his honest opinion—he spoke highly of the man who was his right-hand during Liverpool’s most successful era. I took some time to reflect, then reached out to Pep. Of course, I first asked Jürgen for his blessing—I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I asked if it would be okay to talk to him and he said, ‘of course not a problem.’ So we spoke, and within two days we decided—‘let’s do it.’ His knowledge… I’m soaking it up every day. We talk a lot about tactics, football, training… It’s been an inspiring partnership for me.”🗣️ Pep Guardiola on Pep Lijnders: “I asked permission from Jürgen of course, I didn’t want to interfere. His knowledge, I drink from his knowledge. We talk a lot about football/training, he’s been inspiring for me.”[via @Jack_Gaughan] pic.twitter.com/LwSTpF7Ewk— mcfc lads (@mcfc_lads) June 17, 2025 Meanwhile, Jack Grealish has closed the door on the Club World Cup—and possibly the Etihad as well.Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish being left out of #ManCity’s #FIFACWC squad: “It was a conversation between him and the club and they decide. Jack is an exceptional player, the only reason why he didn’t play last season is of course my decisions, and we decide that HE HAS TO… pic.twitter.com/q9jdzLgPP8— City Report (@cityreport_) June 17, 2025 “That was a conversation between him and the club, and that’s the direction they chose. Jack is an outstanding player. The only reason he didn’t play much was my decision, of course. In the end, he and the club were honest with each other. We all agreed the best thing would be for him to find a place where he feels he can play regularly and get back to the level he was at when we won the treble—or during his time at Aston Villa. Without him, winning the treble would’ve been nearly impossible. The fact he hasn’t played much in the last two seasons means he needs to rediscover that feeling—the butterflies in the stomach—and get back to playing every three days,” Guardiola concluded.FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025Matchday 1WednesdayUlsan – Mamelodi 0-1 (0-1)/Rayners 36/Monterrey – Inter 1-1 (1-1)/Ramos 25 – Martinez 42/19:00: (1.07) Manchester City (13.0) Wydad Casablanca (25.0)22:00: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.90) Al Hilal (9.50)
