Man City vs. Wydad AC predicted lineups, team news, score prediction: Guardiola ready to roll out refresh

Manchester City are set to embark on their FIFA Club World Cup journey as defending champions, but this iteration of the tournament represents something entirely different from their previous triumph. When Pep Guardiola’s men lifted the trophy in December 2023 following victories over Urawa Red Diamonds and a comprehensive 4-0 final win against Fluminense in Jeddah, they were participating in a compact seven-team competition that concluded within four days.

Fast forward to 2025, and FIFA has completely reimagined the Club World Cup as a sprawling 32-team, month-long spectacle across the United States. This expanded format presents new challenges and opportunities for City, who enter the tournament at a fascinating crossroads in their illustrious recent history.

The timing of this tournament couldn’t be more significant for Manchester City. After enduring a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw Guardiola finish without a major trophy for the first time since his debut season at the Etihad in 2016/17, there’s a palpable sense of renewal and transformation surrounding the club. The arrival of three high-profile signings, notable squad omissions, and coaching staff changes all point to this being the dawn of a new era for the ten-time English champions.

Perhaps most intriguingly, this Club World Cup could represent Pep Guardiola’s final chapter after nearly a decade of unprecedented success in Manchester. The Spanish tactician has overseen one of the most dominant periods in English football history, but the winds of change are clearly blowing through the corridors of the Etihad Stadium.

The Opposition: Wydad Athletic Club’s Rich Heritage

Standing in City’s path in their Group G opener are Wydad Athletic Club, one of Morocco’s most storied and successful football institutions. Based in Casablanca, Wydad AC represents far more than just a football club – they are a symbol of Moroccan sporting excellence and African football prowess on the continental stage.

Wydad’s participation in this expanded Club World Cup is well-deserved, having established themselves as one of Africa’s premier clubs through consistent performances in the CAF Champions League. Their presence in this tournament represents not just their own achievements, but the growing strength and recognition of African football on the global stage.

The Moroccan giants bring with them a passionate fanbase known for creating intimidating atmospheres, though they’ll be playing away from their traditional stronghold in Casablanca. Their style of play typically combines technical ability with physical intensity, characteristics that have served them well in continental competitions.

Under the guidance of Mohamed Amine Benhachem, Wydad will approach this match knowing they face one of Europe’s elite clubs, but also understanding that cup football can produce surprising results. Their squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents, with several players having gained valuable experience in European leagues.

Manchester City’s Squad Revolution

The most striking aspect of City’s preparation for this tournament has been the significant changes to their squad composition. The addition of three new signings represents a clear statement of intent from the club’s hierarchy, suggesting a deliberate strategy to inject fresh energy and different tactical options into Guardiola’s system.

New Arrivals Making Their Mark

Rayan Cherki arrives as perhaps the most exciting of the three new signings. The attacking playmaker brings creativity and flair that could prove crucial in unlocking stubborn defenses throughout the tournament. His ability to operate between the lines and create chances from seemingly impossible positions gives Guardiola another dimension in his attacking arsenal. Cherki’s technical ability and vision make him perfectly suited to City’s possession-based approach, while his youth and hunger could provide the spark that was sometimes missing during their difficult 2024/25 campaign.

Tijjani Reijnders represents the epitome of modern central midfield play. His arrival bolsters what was already one of the strongest midfield departments in world football. Reijnders combines defensive solidity with progressive passing ability, making him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s demanding tactical system. His experience in top-level European competition and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively could prove invaluable as City navigate the challenges of a month-long tournament.

Rayan Ait-Nouri addresses what had become a problematic position for City. The left-back brings pace, attacking thrust, and defensive reliability to a role that has seen various makeshift solutions in recent seasons. His ability to provide width in attack while maintaining defensive discipline aligns perfectly with Guardiola’s tactical preferences for his full-backs.

Notable Departures and Their Impact

The absence of Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker from the traveling squad represents more than just tactical decisions – these omissions effectively signal the end of two significant chapters in recent City history. Grealish, despite his record transfer fee, never quite found the consistent form that justified his price tag, while Walker’s declining pace and occasional defensive lapses had seen him fall down the pecking order.

James McAtee’s decision to prioritize international duty with England Under-21s over club commitments speaks to his likely departure from the Etihad. Once considered one of City’s brightest academy prospects, his choice suggests he sees his future lying elsewhere as he seeks regular first-team football.

Injury Concerns and Squad Depth

The absence of Mateo Kovacic due to Achilles surgery removes one of City’s most reliable midfield options. Kovacic had become an increasingly important figure in Guardiola’s plans, providing the perfect balance of technical ability and work rate that the Spanish coach demands from his midfielders. His injury, while unfortunate, does create opportunities for the newly arrived Reijnders to establish himself immediately.

However, the potential return of Rodri represents perhaps the most significant boost City could have hoped for. The Spanish midfielder’s absence since his ACL surgery in September had been keenly felt, with City’s defensive stability and midfield control suffering noticeably without their metronome. His return to full fitness and potential first start since the injury could transform City’s prospects not just for this opening match, but for the entire tournament.

Tactical Analysis and Formation Expectations

Guardiola’s predicted 4-2-3-1 formation for the Wydad clash suggests a blend of caution and ambition. This system allows for the defensive security that Rodri’s return provides while accommodating the creative talents of the new signings in advanced positions.

Defensive Foundation

The back four combination of Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Rayan Ait-Nouri represents an interesting mix of experience and fresh energy. Dias remains the defensive cornerstone, his leadership and reading of the game crucial to City’s overall stability. Gvardiol’s versatility and ball-playing ability from the left side of central defense provide additional tactical flexibility.

The inclusion of Nunes at right-back, while unconventional, demonstrates Guardiola’s willingness to adapt and experiment. Nunes’ technical ability and pace make him well-suited to the attacking demands Guardiola places on his full-backs, while his defensive positioning has improved considerably under the Spanish coach’s guidance.

Midfield Control

The potential pairing of Rodri and Reijnders in the double pivot presents an intriguing combination. Rodri’s return brings the defensive discipline and passing range that had been sorely missed, while Reijnders offers the energy and box-to-box capabilities that could complement the Spanish midfielder perfectly.

This partnership could provide the platform for City’s attacking players to express themselves, with both players capable of dropping deep to collect possession and driving forward to support attacks when opportunities arise.

Creative Force

The attacking midfield trio of Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki, and Omar Marmoush promises pace, creativity, and unpredictability. Foden’s experience and understanding of Guardiola’s system make him the natural leader of this creative unit, while Cherki’s arrival adds a different dimension to City’s attacking play.

Marmoush’s inclusion represents another new signing making an immediate impact, with his pace and direct running style offering a contrast to City’s typically patient build-up play. This variety in attacking approaches could prove crucial in breaking down well-organized defenses throughout the tournament.

The Haaland Factor

Erling Haaland remains the focal point of City’s attacking aspirations. Despite a relatively quiet 2024/25 campaign by his extraordinary standards, the Norwegian striker’s goal-scoring ability remains undisputed. The addition of more creative players around him should provide the service he needs to return to his devastating best.

Haaland’s physical presence and movement in the penalty area continue to make him one of the most feared strikers in world football. His partnership with the new attacking midfield trio could prove to be the key to City’s success in this tournament.

Wydad AC: Tactical Approach and Key Players

Wydad’s predicted 4-2-3-1 formation mirrors City’s expected setup, suggesting a tactical battle that could be decided by individual quality and execution rather than systematic advantages. The Moroccan side’s approach is likely to emphasize defensive solidity while looking to exploit any opportunities on the counter-attack.

Veteran Leadership

The inclusion of Nordin Amrabat provides Wydad with invaluable experience at the highest level. The 38-year-old winger’s previous experience in European football, including his time at Watford in the Premier League, gives him unique insight into facing English opposition. His pace may have diminished with age, but his tactical intelligence and big-game experience could prove crucial in such a high-profile encounter.

Attacking Threat

Mohamed Rayhi enters this match as Wydad’s primary goal threat, having been their leading scorer in the previous season with 11 league goals. His partnership with Samuel Obeng up front will be crucial to Wydad’s chances of causing an upset. Both players possess the pace and movement necessary to trouble City’s defense if given the opportunity.

The attacking midfield trio featuring Arthur will be tasked with providing service to the forwards while also tracking back to help defensively. Their work rate and discipline will be essential in preventing City from dominating possession completely.

Defensive Organization

Wydad’s success in this match will largely depend on their defensive organization and ability to remain compact when City have possession. The partnership of Bart Meijers and Jamal Harkass in central defense will face the ultimate test against Haaland and City’s attacking movement.

Mickael Malsa and El Mehdi El Moubarik in the double pivot must provide defensive cover while also looking to initiate counter-attacks when opportunities arise. Their experience and understanding of when to press and when to hold position could be decisive factors in the match outcome.

Historical Context and Tournament Significance

This Club World Cup represents more than just another trophy opportunity for Manchester City – it’s a chance to establish their credentials on the global stage in the tournament’s new expanded format. While they enter as defending champions, the completely different tournament structure means they’re essentially starting from scratch in terms of proving their superiority.

The significance of this tournament extends beyond individual matches. For Guardiola, success here could provide the perfect send-off if this indeed proves to be his final season at City. For the players, it represents an opportunity to bounce back from domestic disappointment and establish themselves in the new-look squad.

The expanded format also means that early results carry additional weight. Unlike the previous seven-team tournament where a poor performance could be quickly forgotten, the month-long nature of this competition means that momentum and confidence built from early victories could prove crucial throughout the tournament.

Match Prediction and Key Factors

The predicted scoreline of 3-0 in favor of Manchester City reflects the significant gulf in quality and resources between the two clubs. However, football’s unpredictable nature means that Wydad cannot be completely dismissed, particularly in a one-off match situation.

Factors Favoring Manchester City

The return of Rodri alone could transform City’s performance levels. His absence had been one of the primary factors in their disappointing domestic campaign, and his return provides the defensive stability and passing range that allows their attacking players to flourish.

The integration of three new signings who have had a full training camp to adapt to Guardiola’s methods gives City additional tactical options and fresh energy. This could prove crucial in breaking down Wydad’s expected defensive approach.

City’s superior individual quality across all positions should eventually tell, particularly if they can establish an early lead and force Wydad to abandon their defensive strategy.

Potential Challenges for City

The month-long tournament format represents unfamiliar territory for Guardiola and his players. Managing player fitness and maintaining motivation across multiple matches will be crucial to their success.

Wydad’s experience in continental competition means they won’t be overawed by the occasion. Their defensive organization and set-piece threat could cause problems if City become complacent.

The pressure of being defending champions and heavy favorites could impact City’s performance, particularly given their recent struggles with expectation management.

Broadcasting and Global Reach

The decision to stream all Club World Cup matches free on DAZN represents a significant opportunity for global football fans to witness this expanded tournament. The accessibility of the coverage means that matches like City vs Wydad will reach audiences that might not traditionally have access to such high-level football.

This global reach also adds pressure on the participating clubs to deliver entertaining performances. The eyes of the world will be watching, and both teams will be eager to showcase their abilities on such a prominent stage.

Conclusion: A New Chapter Begins

Manchester City’s clash with Wydad AC represents more than just the opening match of their Club World Cup campaign – it’s the beginning of a new chapter in the club’s history. With new signings to integrate, departed legends to replace, and a potentially departing manager to send off in style, the stakes extend far beyond the immediate result.

For Wydad, this match represents an opportunity to announce themselves on the global stage and prove that African football continues to evolve and improve. Their presence in this expanded tournament format validates the growing strength of football across the continent.

The predicted comfortable victory for City seems likely given the disparity in resources and individual quality. However, the beauty of football lies in its unpredictability, and Wydad will undoubtedly believe they can spring a surprise that would reverberate around the football world.

As this new format Club World Cup begins, Manchester City carry the expectations of a club determined to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of world football, while Wydad represent the dreams and aspirations of African football’s continued rise. The stage is set for what promises to be a fascinating encounter and the beginning of an intriguing tournament that could reshape the landscape of global club football.