Manchester City begins its campaign in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola’s side faces their opening match in a tournament that now features 32 teams and is being hosted for the first time in the United States under the new format. With Erling Haaland in the starting lineup, the Premier League champions go head-to-head with Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca.
This marks Haaland’s debut appearance in the Club World Cup. The Norwegian striker missed the December 2023 edition, which took place six months after City won their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. At the time, he was sidelined due to injury and missed the semifinal against Urawa Red Diamonds. A few days later, due to FIFA regulations regarding squad changes, he was unable to be added to the roster for the final—a 4-0 win over Fluminense.
Now fit and ready, City’s star striker has a golden opportunity to chase the tournament’s all-time goal-scoring record. Cristiano Ronaldo currently leads the charts with seven goals scored across his appearances for Manchester United and Real Madrid. Haaland would need to net at least seven to match that feat, and possibly more to surpass it.
see also
Manchester City vs. Wydad Casablanca: Projected lineups for the opening match of Group G in the Club World Cup
Manchester City vs Wydad Casablanca: Starting lineups for the 2025 Club World Cup
Manchester City: Ederson; Nathan Aké, Vito Reis, Rico Lewis, Nico O’Riley; Tijani Reijnders, Phil Foden, Ryan Cherki; Savinho, Jérémy Doku, Omar Marmoush.
Wydad Casablanca: Elias Benabid; Mehdi Moufid, Guilherme Ferreira, Bart Meljers, Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Fahd Moufi; Oussama Zemraoui, Mehde El Moubarik, Nordin Amrabat, Thembinkosi Lorch; Cassius Mailula.
