Manchester City’s Preseason Disrupted by Club World Cup as Guardiola Adjusts Plans
English champions to play just one friendly before 2025/26 Premier League opener.
Manchester City’s preparations for the 2025/26 season have been significantly impacted by their participation in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. With limited recovery time before the Premier League resumes, manager Pep Guardiola has opted to treat the international tournament as an extended preseason.
The Spanish coach used the competition to rotate the squad and experiment tactically, aiming to balance fitness and form heading into a high-stakes domestic campaign.
Only One Friendly Scheduled Before Premier League Kick-Off
City’s only scheduled preseason friendly will be against Italian side Palermo, a fellow member of the City Football Group. The match will take place on August 9 at the Renzo Barbera Stadium in Sicily, for the Anglo-Palermitano Trophy.
Apart from the Club World Cup, this will be the sole match Guardiola’s side will play before their Premier League opener a rarity for a club known for extensive preseason tours in recent years.
Guardiola Under Pressure After Trophyless Season
Manchester City enters the 2025/26 season seeking redemption after a disappointing 2024/25 campaign widely regarded as Guardiola’s worst since taking over at the Etihad.
The club failed to secure any trophies, suffering early exits in the Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup, and finishing third in the Premier League with 71 points. In comparison, Liverpool claimed the title with 84 points, and Arsenal finished second with 74.
Across all competitions, City played 61 matches, recording 33 wins, 11 draws, and 17 losses, while scoring 130 goals and conceding 78 numbers that underline the inconsistency that plagued their season.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disrupted schedule, Guardiola remains focused on rebuilding momentum. With limited fixtures before the new season, Manchester City’s performance against Palermo will offer the first glimpse of what fans can expect from a team under pressure to return to winning ways.
