⚽ Match Preview: Man City vs Wydad AC
š Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
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Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2025
š Kickoff: TBC (local time)
š¦ Manchester City Overview
After a rare trophy-light season, Pep Guardiola's side arrives in the U.S. with a point to prove. Despite dominating world football in 2023, City stumbled in 2024–25, failing to defend their Premier League and Champions League titles.
The Club World Cup presents a perfect opportunity for redemption. They are defending champions (2023), and new faces like Rayan Cherki, Rayan AĆÆt-Nouri, and Tijjani Reijnders aim to rejuvenate the side. City’s depth allows for quality even in rotation, and fringe players will be eager to impress ahead of the new season.
š“ Wydad AC Overview
Wydad Casablanca enters their third Club World Cup campaign as Morocco’s most decorated club, though recent form is unconvincing. A third-place domestic finish and a historic group-stage exit from the 2023–24 CAF Champions League highlight a team in transition.
Veteran Nordin Amrabat, 38, brings experience but may struggle with City's pace. Their 1-0 friendly losses to Porto and Sevilla showed defensive grit but also a lack of cutting edge in attack.
š Team News
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Man City: No Kovacic (heel), but Stones travels despite ongoing thigh concerns. Expect debuts for Cherki, Reijnders, and AĆÆt-Nouri.
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Wydad: Amrabat and Mohamed Rayhi (top scorer with 11 goals last season) are the main threats.
š® Prediction
Even with rotation, City’s squad depth is overwhelming compared to a Wydad side short on recent form and experience at this level. Expect Guardiola’s men to dominate possession and create chances at will.
✅ Prediction: Manchester City 4-0 Wydad AC
Cherki or Reijnders could mark debuts with a goal, and City should cruise with minimal resistance.