Overview

• Manchester City will kick off their title defense on June 18 against Morocco’s Wydad AC in Group G of the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup in Philadelphia.
• Pep Guardiola has signaled potential heavy rotation to manage player workloads ahead of their June 26 clash with Juventus.
• Creative midfielder Rayan Cherki, versatile full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and playmaker Tijjani Reijnders are among City’s summer arrivals set to feature in the opener.
• Midfielder Mateo Kovacic was left behind to recover from a heel issue while defender John Stones traveled despite carrying a thigh injury.
• Moroccan champions Wydad AC will field veterans Nordin Amrabat and Mohamed Rayhi under coach Mohamed Amine Benhachem as they seek their first win at the tournament.