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

Manchester City return to the FIFA Club World Cup as defending champions, taking part in a very different tournament.

In December 2023, Pep Guardiola’s side beat Urawa Red Diamonds in the semifinals before a 4-0 final victory over Fluminense in Jeddah.

Those two games in the space of four days to cap a seven-team competition are somewhat at odds with the 32-club month-long jaunt across the United States that FIFA has rolled out for 2025.

After a disappointing 2024/25, where Guardiola finished without a major trophy for the first time since his maiden season at City in 2016/17, a trio of new signings are ready to make their bow against Moroccan giants Wydad AC in Group G.

There are also some notable omissions from City’s travelling party and changes to the coaching staff to add to the sense that this is a new era for the 10-time English champions — not to mention possibly Guardiola’s final chapter after nearly a decade in charge.

MORE: The entire 2025 Club World Cup match schedule & results

Man City vs.Wydad AC predicted lineups, team newsAttacking playmaker Rayan Cherki, central midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri all joined City in the pre-tournament transfer window and have played a full part in Guardiola’s training camp. The trio could feasibly all start against Wydad.

With Rodri back to full fitness and in line for his first start since ACL surgery last September, Guardiola has a plethora of central midfield options. However, Mateo Kovacic is not among them after undergoing an Achilles operation.

Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker were each omitted from the squad, effectively heralding the end of their City careers. James McAtee is also expected to move on and opted to join up with the England Under-21s for the ongoing European Championship rather than travel with his club.     

Man City predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri — Rodri, Reijnders— Foden, Cherki, Marmoush —Haaland

Injured:  Kovacic (Achilles)
Suspended: None

MORE: Full list of players, squads for all 32 Club World Cup participants

Full Man City squadGoalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Stefan Ortega, Ederson

Defenders: Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov,  Rico Lewis

Midfielders: Tijjani Reijnders, Nico Gonzalez, Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Nico O’Reilly

Forwards: Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Savinho, Rayan Cherki, Claudio Echeverri, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb

Veteran former Watford winger Nordin Amrabat is a familiar face in the Wydad side for City fans.

Now 38, Amrabat has joined Mohamed Amine Benhachem’s squad after a short-term deal at Hull City expired. 

Former PSV youngster Mohamed Rayhi was Wydad’s top scorer last season with 11 league goals.

Wydad AC predicted lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): El Motie (GK) — Moufi, Meijers, Harkass, Boucheta — Malsa, Moubarik — Amrabat, Arthur, Rayhi — Obeng

Injured: 
Suspended: None

Full Wydad AC squadGoalkeepers: Omar Aqzdaou, El Mehdi Benabid, Youssef El Motie

Defenders: Abdelmounaim Boutouil, Ayoub Boucheta, Guilherme Ferreira, Jamal Harkass, Bart Meijers, Fahd Moufi, Mohamed Moufid

Midfielders: Arthur, Stephane Aziz Ki, Ismail Benktib, Yassine Bennani, Rayane Mahtou, Mickael Malsa, El Mehdi El Moubarik, Ismail Moutarajji, Pedrinho, Oussama Zemraoui

Forwards: Omar Alsomah, Nordin Amrabat, Zakaria Fathi, Hamza Hannouri, Thembinkosi Lorch, Cassius Mailula, Selemani Mwalimu, Samuel Obeng, Mohamed Rayhi

Man City vs.Wydad AC score predictionTowards the end of a turbulent season, Guardiola belatedly added some much-needed solidity to a previously brittle City side. They only lost once after the March international break, although that game being an FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace was far from ideal.

With new attacking talent bolted onto this core and the likes of Erling Haaland and Phil Foden perhaps recharged, some of City’s old swagger might return.

Prediction: Wydad 0-3 Man City

Man City vs.Wydad AC live stream, TV channelAll matches across the entirety of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be streamed for free on DAZN across the globe. In addition, some matches may be televised in certain regions as per DAZN’s deals with local networks and services.

Here’s how to watch this 2025 Club World Cup group stage match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:

 DateTimeTV channelStreamingUSAWed, Jun. 1812 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT—DAZNCanadaWed, Jun. 1812 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT —DAZNUKWed, Jun. 185 p.m. BSTChannel 5DAZNAustraliaThu, Jun. 192 a.m. AEST —DAZN, Kayo Sports, Foxtel NowIndiaWed, Jun. 1810:30 p.m. IST —DAZN, tabii