Manchester City's journey in the FIFA Club World Cup is prepared to get underway in a few days, where they'll start their campaign against three clubs.
Juventus (Italy)
The most high-profile of City's group stage opponents, Juventus, represents one of Europe's most storied football institutions. The Italian giants secured their place in the tournament through their consistent performances in European competitions. The clash between these two footballing powerhouses promises to be one of the group stage's most anticipated matches, scheduled for June 26 at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Wydad AC (Morocco)
The African representatives, Wydad AC, earned their spot through their impressive performances in the CAF Champions League. City's opening group stage match will be against the Moroccan side at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on June 18. Known for their tactical discipline and passionate support, Wydad AC have established themselves as one of Africa's most competitive clubs.
Al Ain (United Arab Emirates)
Completing the group is Al Ain, one of the UAE's most successful clubs, who qualified through their achievements in the Asian Football Confederation competitions. City will face the Middle Eastern side on June 22 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, in what promises to be an intriguing clash of different footballing philosophies.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The group stage follows a single-game format, with each team playing three matches. The top two teams from the group will advance to the knockout stages, where the competition intensifies in the pursuit of global club football's newest prestigious trophy.
The diverse nature of City's opponents presents unique challenges, from Juventus's European pedigree to Wydad AC's African dynamism and Al Ain's Asian tactical approach. This variety of playing styles and football cultures makes Group G one of the most interesting in the tournament.
With matches scheduled across three different American cities, Manchester City's campaign will also test their ability to handle travel and varying conditions while maintaining their high-performance levels. The tournament's expanded format provides a true test of both squad depth and adaptability, making it a compelling challenge for Pep Guardiola's side.