New report offers early insight into Manchester City’s travelling squad list for FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

Manchester City appear set to take a much more experienced and star-studded roster of players to this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, a new report has hinted.

City will face Wydad AC in their opening fixture of the group-stage as Pep Guardiola and co look to add to their trophy cabinet in between what has been an unsuccessful season and what they hope will be a return to their usual, all-encompassing selves in the 2025-26 season.

The 2023 treble winners announced the signings of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli and Rayan Cherki ahead of the 7PM UK transfer deadline on Tuesday. Tijjani Reijnders’ announcement will also follow on Wednesday, it is expected.

The quartet of new arrivals have been signed and registered in time for the Club World Cup, which will give Guardiola an extra month with his new players to teach his philosophy and methods ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Jack Grealish will not be part of the Club World Cup squad as the England international finds a new club to revitalise his England career after making seven Premier League starts last season, which has cast further doubt on his club future.

Kyle Walker has also been told to find a new club and does not feature in Manchester City’s plans for the new campaign. The 35-year-old joined AC Milan on loan in January after a disastrous run of form in the fall of 2024 and is into the final year of his City deal.

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to undergo a medical in the coming week after agreeing a two-year move to Napoli, with the Belgium international given an emotional farewell by the Manchester City faithful in his last two games for the club.

Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri all returned to full fitness in the closing weeks and months of the previous campaign and should be included in the Club World Cup squad, while there remain question marks over the availability of John Stones, who has recently spent some time with the England National Team to progress his rehabilitation.

James McAtee will captain England at the U-21 European Championship and has turned his boyhood club down to represent the young Three Lions as he actively searches for a permanent transfer away from the Etihad Stadium.

According to the information of MailSport’s Jack Gaughan, Manchester City have now opted to travel to the United States for the Club World Cup with a squad made up of largely established first-team players and a smaller group as a whole.

With fewer Academy talents set to be included than first envisaged, the club’s Under-21 manager Ben Wilkinson and his assistant coach Craig Mudd will remain with their own group to organise pre-season.

In additional insight, it is revealed that Manchester City are expected to announce a squad list made up of around 25 players on Wednesday ahead of the 32-club tournament, with FIFA regulations allowing teams to take over 30 players to the tournament.