🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Manchester City | OneFootball

Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues.

Today we're looking at...Manchester City.

How did they qualify for the Club World Cup?

City qualified for the tournament after winning the UEFA Champions League for the first and, so far, only time in the club's history in 2023, with Rodri's goal the decisive factor in a tight final with Inter in Istanbul.

History at the Club World Cup

📸 Francois Nel - 2023 Getty Images

That Champions League triumph saw City qualify for the Club World Cup the following year, and they lifted that trophy too, overcoming Fluminense 4-0 in the final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This year will be just their second appearance at the tournament.

How did they perform in the 2024/25 season?

By their lofty expectations, this past season was about as disappointing as it gets for Manchester City. The Premier League side needed until the last day to finish in the top four and also lost in the FA Cup final, ending the season without a trophy for the first time since 2016/17.

Who is the coach?

Pep Guardiola is one of modern football's iconic coaches whose imprint on the game is arguably unrivalled.

Following hugely successful spells in charge of his boyhood club Barcelona and then Bayern Munich, Guardiola took the reins at City in the summer of 2016 and has made numerous pieces of history during his time in Manchester, including the first 100-point Premier League season and becoming the first club to win the Premier League title four seasons in succession.

Who is their star player?

One of the most recognisable footballers on the planet, Erling Haaland has earned a reputation as a fearsome goalscorer and a nightmare for defenders.

Since moving to City in the summer of 2022, the 24-year-old Norwegian has scored a staggering 121 goals in 142 games and is known for his pace, strength and lethal finishing.

Watch out also for Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or award in 2024 but spent most of the 2024/25 season sidelined with a serious knee injury.

Expected performance at the Club World Cup

City are in Group G, and should have little difficulty qualifying, with Juventus likely to pose the most serious threat to their chances.

Assuming they do sail through the group stage, they will have ambitions of making it all the way to the final and should be considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy at MetLife Stadium on July 13.

📸 Shaun Botterill - 2025 Getty Images