City vs Wydad: Live Score, Result & Match Analysis 2025
Manchester City will face Morocco’s Wydad AC in their Group G opener at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup — a 32-team tournament hosted in the United States — on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, at 18:00 local time (Philadelphia).
Venue & Broadcast
📍 Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
🕕 Kick‑off: 18:00 EDT (23:00 PKT)
📺 Live on: DAZN Sports internationally.
Historical Context
This will be the first-ever competitive match between Manchester City and Wydad AC . Wydad earns its spot as the 2021–22 CAF Champions League winner, while City qualified by winning the UEFA Champions League in 2023 .
Team Form & Personnel
Manchester City
- Coming off a trophyless 2024–25 season, City are determined to bounce back.
- No major injuries reported — fresh signings Aït‑Nouri, Reijnders and Cherki expected to feature.
- Captaincy change: Bernardo Silva has been named captain following Pep’s restructure.
Wydad AC
- Form slump: Winless stretch in Moroccan Botola and a third-place finish.
- Coaching change: Mokwena left in April; interim structure now in place.
- Missing players: Boucheta and Renan are injured .
Tactical Insight & Key Players
Pep Guardiola faces a key decision: mix veterans with new signings or field a more experienced XI.
Star to watch: Erling Haaland (31 goals last season) will likely spearhead the attack .
Wydad counters with CAF Champions League veterans like Nordin Amrabat.
Expert Predictions
- Most previews tip City to dominate, with expected scorelines around 4‑1.
- Betting outlets see City as clear favourites; talkSPORT and others suggest half‑time/full‑time wins for City.
- Guardiola hopes the tournament kickstarts a recovery from last season’s disappointments .
Why It Matters
- This game marks City’s campaign launch; success could set the tone toward the knockout phases .
- For Wydad, a strong performance on the global stage offers prestige and validation after domestic struggles.
Final Take
Manchester City are heavily favoured and expected to win comfortably. However, Wydad AC brings African prestige and tactical discipline — susceptible to small margins. Expect an entertaining opening clash with momentum likely swinging firmly to City.
