The reigning champions, Manchester City, will start their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca on Wednesday.
The Cityzens will come into this match after having a disappointing trophyless season, missing their shots on a possible FA Cup title after losing 0-1 to Crystal Palace in the final match. However, they booked their confirmation in the next year's UEFA Champions League after finishing third in the 2024-25 Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola has brought some fresh changes to the squad ahead of the crucial tournament, eyeing to revamp the side after some mistakes in the last season. Former Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and French wizard Rayan Cherki are all very shrewd acquisitions.
Wydad Casablanca, meanwhile, will be arriving in the United States with a fresh squad, leaving their key players for the crucial FIFA Club World Cup campaign due to technical reasons.
Mohamed Amine Benhachem's side has qualified for the World Cup tournament for the third time, qualifying as winners of the 2021-22 CAF Champions League. The Red Castle have a solid form on their back, having won three of their last five matches in all competitions.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Where to watch Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca: Live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch this FIFA Club World Cup match in the Australia:
TV channel: Foxtel Channel 507
Live stream: Kayo, DAZN
This game is available for live TV broadcast in the Australia on Foxtel's dedicated World Cup channel on Foxtel Channel 507.
For fans who prefer to stream on the go, the tournament will also be shown live on Kayo and DAZN.
Watch AFL, NRL, Intl Cricket, BBL, WBBL, F1, Supercars, Golf, Netball, NBL & more. New users to Kayo can currently sign up to a FREE trial.
Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca start time
- Date: Wednesday, June 18
- Time: 2:00 a.m. AEST
Man City and Wydad Casablanca will kick off at 12:00 p.m. local time (ET) on Wednesday, June 18, from the Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Here's how that time translates across Australia:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time | Thu, June 19 | 2:00 a.m. |
| Australian Central Standard Time | Thu, June 19 | 1:30 a.m. |
| Australian Western Standard Time | Thu, June 19 | 12:00 a.m. |
Man City vs. Wydad Casablanca predicted lineups, team news
Attacking 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 XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Ederson (GK) — Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri — Rodri, Reijnders — Foden, Cherki, Marmoush — Haaland.
Injured: Kovacic
Suspended: None
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 Casablanca predicted XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): El Motie (GK) — Moufi, Meijers, Harkass, Boucheta — Malsa, Moubarik — Amrabat, Arthur, Rayhi — Obeng.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Man City Club World Cup schedule 2025
Here are Man City's next three games of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup:
| Date | Game | Time (AEST) |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | vs. Wydad AC | 2:00 a.m. |
| June 23 | vs. Al-Ain | 11:00 a.m. |
| June 27 | at Juventus | 5:00 a.m. |
Wydad Casablanca Club World Cup schedule 2025
Here are Wydad Casablanca's next three games of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup:
| Date | Game | Time (AEST) |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | at Man City | 2:00 a.m. |
| June 23 | at Juventus | 2:00 a.m. |
| June 27 | vs. Al-Ain | 5:00 a.m. |
FIFA Club World Cup fixture schedule this week
All times AEST
Wednesday, June 18
- Fluminense vs. Bor. Dortmund (2:00 a.m.)
- River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds (5:00 a.m.)
- Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (8:00 a.m.)
- Monterrey vs. Inter Milan (11:00 a.m.)
Thursday, June 19
- Man City vs. Wydad (2:00 a.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal (5:00 a.m.)
- Pachuca vs. Salzburg (8:00 a.m.)
- Al Ain vs. Juventus (11:00 a.m.)
Friday, June 20
- Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly (2:00 a.m.)
- Inter Miami vs. Porto (5:00 a.m.)
- Seattle Sounders vs. Atletico Madrid (8:00 a.m.)
- PSG vs. Botafogo (11:00 a.m.)
Saturday, June 21
- Benfica vs. Auckland City (2:00 a.m.)
- Flamengo vs. Chelseao (4:00 a.m.)
- LAFC vs. ES Tunis (8:00 a.m.)
- Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors (11:00 a.m.)
Sunday, June 22
- Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Bor. Dortmund (2:00 a.m.)
- Inter Milan vs. Urawa Red Diamonds (5:00 a.m.)
- Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD (8:00 a.m.)
- River Plate vs. Monterrey (11:00 a.m.)
Related Links
- Latest men's soccer news and rumors
- Latest women's soccer news and rumors
- How to bet on Soccer