Manchester City vs Al Ain on 22 June 2025 in a FIFA Club World Cup Group G match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The match kicks off at 21:00 ET (06:30 IST on 23 June in India). City come into the game after a 2-0 win over Wydad AC, while Al Ain suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat to Juventus in their opening match. This will be the teams’ first competitive meeting since a friendly in 2014, which City won 3-0. Manchester City are clear favorites, boasting a world-class squad led by Erling Haaland, while Al Ain, under manager Vladimir Ivic, will look to bounce back despite recent struggles. The match is crucial for Al Ain’s survival in the group, while City will aim to secure early qualification to the knockout stage.
Recent Team Form
A summary of both teams’ recent form leading into the City vs Al Ain clash:
Manchester City
Manchester City have shown a strong rebound into form after a turbulent 2024–25 season. In their last five matches they’ve recorded 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with Premier League victories over Fulham (2–0) and Bournemouth (3–1), a draw with Southampton (0–0), and an FA Cup Final defeat to Crystal Palace (1–0) . In the Club World Cup opener they beat Wydad AC 2–0, with Phil Foden excelling (1 goal, 1 assist) and new signings like Reijnders and Cherki impressing . However, defender Rico Lewis was sent off and will miss the upcoming match .
Al Ain
Al Ain qualified for the tournament as AFC Champions League winners but have stumbled recently. They endured a heavy 5–0 defeat to Juventus in their opener . Their domestic league form was solid heading into the tournament—finishing 5th in the UAE Pro League—and they secured important wins in ACL qualification. Still, they’ve struggled defensively, and their most recent group stage match was a convincing loss, underscoring a concerning gap in quality.
Team Details
A refined overview of both teams’ squad details for the Manchester City vs Al Ain match:
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has named a 27‑player squad, notably omitting Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker as part of a squad overhaul featuring high-profile arrivals .
Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli
Defenders: Rúben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Rayan Aït‑Nouri, Vitor Reis, Rico Lewis (suspended vs Al Ain)
Midfielders: Rodri, Ilkay Gündogan, Bernardo Silva (captain), Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, Phil Foden, Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, Claudio Echeverri, Oscar Bobb, Nico O’Reilly
Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush, Savinho
Key players include Haaland (22 PL goals), Foden (form resurgence), and midfield additions Reijnders and Cherki, introduced to fill the creative void left by Kevin De Bruyne.
Al Ain
Their 33‑man delegation includes a balance of rotation options across each position .
Goalkeepers: Khalid Eisa, Rui Patrício, Mohammed Bu Sanda, Hassan Muhammed, Vedad Alibasic
Defenders: Ramy Rabia, Kouame Kouadio, Fábio Cardoso, Marcel Ratnik, Erik (left back), Adis Jašić (right back), Yahia bin Khaliq, Khalid Al Hashimi, Michel Draman, Amadu Saidou Niang
Midfielders/Wingers: Park Yong‑woo, Yahia Nader (defensive midfield), Abdoul Karim Traoré, Joshua Odo, Matías Palacios, Mohamed Al Balochi, Hazem Abbas, Kaku, Rilwanu Sarki, Segovia, Sanabria, Mohamed Awad, Jonatas, Nassim Chadli
Forwards: Josna Epifani, Al Hussain Rahimi, Soufiane Rahimi, Kodjo Fo‑Doh Laba
Star forward Soufiane Rahimi has 35 goals in 85 appearances and was the AFC Champions League top scorer (13 goals) . Defensive midfield mainstay Yahia Nader provides solidity across midfield and center-back.
Predicted Lineup
The predicted lineup for the upcoming Manchester City vs Al Ain clash at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025:
Manchester City (4–2–3–1)
With some rotation and new faces, Pep Guardiola is likely to go with:
GK: Ederson
DEF: Manuel Akanji – Rúben Dias – Joško Gvardiol – Rayan Aït-Nouri
MID: Mateo Kovacic – Tijjani Reijnders
Rayan Cherki – Phil Foden – Jérémy Doku
FW: Erling Haaland
Key Notes:
• Rico Lewis is suspended, red card vs Wydad AC.
• Foden returns to the starting XI after excelling in the last match.
• Cherki gets a chance in the central attacking role.
• New signings Reijnders and Aït-Nouri are expected to start.
Al Ain (4–4–2)
Manager Vladimir Ivic may stick with a counter-attacking setup:
GK: Rui Patrício
DEF: Erik – Kouame Kouadio – Ramy Rabia – Adis Jašić
MID: Kaku – Park Yong-Woo – Yahia Nader – Matías Palacios
FW: Soufiane Rahimi – Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba
Key Notes:
• Rahimi and Laba lead the line as Al Ain’s most dangerous attackers.
• Kaku and Palacios provide width and creativity.
• Yahia Nader anchors midfield in a defensive role.
Importance of Manchester City vs Al Ain
The Manchester City vs Al Ain match holds significant importance for both teams in the context of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025:
For Manchester City
• Qualification Opportunity: A win would likely secure City’s place in the knockout stage of Group G after their opening victory over Wydad AC.
• Squad Rotation & Depth Test: Guardiola is using this tournament to integrate new signings (like Reijnders, Cherki, Aït-Nouri), making this match vital for assessing team chemistry and readiness.
• Prestige & Global Reach: Winning convincingly reinforces City’s global dominance and builds momentum for the latter stages, especially against stronger opponents like Juventus later in the group.
• Bounce Back from 2024–25 Struggles: After a difficult domestic season and FA Cup final loss, this tournament is a chance to finish the campaign on a high.
For Al Ain
• Survival in Group Stage: After a heavy 5–0 defeat to Juventus, this match is make-or-break—a loss would likely eliminate them from knockout contention.
• Underdog Challenge: Facing one of the world’s top clubs, Al Ain have a rare opportunity to make a global statement and restore regional pride.
• Player Exposure: For stars like Soufiane Rahimi, this is a stage to impress scouts, fans, and international clubs.
Wider Importance
• FIFA Club World Cup Relaunch: This is the first 32-team format of the tournament, making every game more competitive and meaningful.
• Fan Engagement: Both clubs bring large fanbases City globally, and Al Ain regionally highlighting the tournament’s goal of worldwide football reach.
Conclusion
The upcoming clash Manchester City vs Al Ain is a pivotal moment in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage. For City, it’s a chance to secure early qualification to the knockout rounds, showcase squad depth, and reinforce their global standing. For Al Ain, it’s a do-or-die opportunity to bounce back after a heavy loss to Juventus and prove themselves against elite competition. While City are clear favorites on paper, the match holds high stakes for both sides—one seeking dominance, the other fighting for survival.
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