Manchester City opened their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Wydad AC at Lincoln Financial Field. Pep Guardiola handed Rayan Cherki his first start for the club while Jérémy Doku returned to the wing.
Match Date: 18 Jun 2025 · Final Score: Man City 2-0 Wydad · Competition: FIFA Club World Cup · Man City GK: Ederson · Wydad Key Players: Lorch, Amrabat
Quick snapshot
- Man City 2-0 Wydad in Group G (ESPN)
- Foden scored in the 2nd minute (ESPN)
- Rico Lewis sent off in 88th minute (Sky Sports)
- Whether Rodri will start in the next group match
- Full post-match player ratings not yet available
- 18 Jun 2025: Kick-off at 16:00 UTC at Lincoln Financial Field
- Match lasted 90+2 minutes with added time
- Man City continue Group G campaign
- Wydad AC seek first points in the group stage
Man City vs Wydad AC Lineups
The confirmed starting elevens for the Group G opener came from official club sources and were corroborated across multiple platforms. Both managers named attacking-minded XIs, setting up what proved to be an end-to-end first half.
Manchester City Starting XI
Guardiola’s selection featured two debutants in the engine room. Rayan Cherki earned his first start since joining from Lyon, slotting into an attacking midfield role behind the striker. Tijjani Reijnders, the Dutch midfielder signed from AC Milan, also made his competitive debut for the club.
Here is how the two sides lined up at Lincoln Financial Field.
| Position | Man City Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Ederson (C) | Captain for the match |
| DEF | Reis | — |
| DEF | Rico Lewis | Sent off 88th minute |
| DEF | Ruben Dias | — |
| DEF | Nathan Ake | — |
| MID | Mateo O’Reilly | — |
| MID | Tijjani Reijnders | Man City debut |
| MID | Phil Foden | Scored 2nd minute |
| MID | Rayan Cherki | Man City debut |
| FWD | Savinho | Starting on right flank |
| FWD | Jérémy Doku | Scored 42nd minute |
| FWD | Omar Marmoush | Led the line as striker |
Wydad AC Starting XI
Wydad AC manager Mohamed Amine Benhachem named a side featuring experienced African internationals. Lorch and Amrabat anchored the attack, while El Mehdi Moubarik provided defensive cover in midfield.
The Wydad AC lineup included the following players.
| Position | Wydad AC Player | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Ahmed Benabid | — |
| DEF | Youssef Moufid | — |
| DEF | Ayoub Boutouil | — |
| DEF | Achraf Moufi | — |
| DEF | Meijers | — |
| MID | Henrique Ferreira | — |
| MID | El Mehdi Moubarik | — |
| MID | Oussama Zemraoui | — |
| MID | Thembinkosi Lorch | Key attacking outlet |
| FWD | Nordin Amrabat | Experienced international |
| FWD | Cassius Mailula | — |
Key Substitutes
Rayan Ait-Nouri was available but started on the bench for Manchester City. Marcus Bettinelli, who arrived prior to the tournament, was also among the substitutes. Wydad AC were missing goalkeeper Renan, who continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Guardiola resisted the temptation to rush Rodri back into the starting XI despite his ACL recovery being complete. The medical staff likely preferred building his minutes gradually through the group stage.
Who Scored Man City vs Wydad?
Manchester City took control of the match early and never fully surrendered the initiative. The final scoreline reflected a dominant performance, though the sending-off late on added unnecessary tension to the closing minutes.
Goal Scorers
Phil Foden opened the scoring with barely two minutes on the clock. The England international latched onto a through ball and finished cleanly past Ahmed Benabid to give City a dream start at Lincoln Financial Field.
Jérémy Doku doubled the lead from a corner kick in the 42nd minute. The Belgian winger’s delivery caused problems all evening, and his set-piece delivery proved too good for the Wydad defense to clear.
Phil Foden’s early strike set the tone. City were relentless from the first whistle.
Match Timeline
The match unfolded at a breakneck pace in the first half, with both teams creating chances. Wydad AC had a spell of possession midway through the opening period but failed to test Ederson seriously. Foden’s opener changed the dynamic entirely, and Doku’s goal just before halftime gave Guardiola’s side a commanding lead to take into the break.
The two-goal cushion meant City could manage the second half without excessive risk, though Rico Lewis’s red card forced a reshuffle that tested the squad’s depth in a competitive environment.
Where is Man City vs Wydad AC?
The Group G fixture was staged at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania—the home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. This venue, more accustomed to American football crowds, welcomed 37,446 spectators for the Club World Cup opener.
Venue Details
Lincoln Financial Field holds approximately 69,000 capacity for football events and proved capable of generating a strong atmosphere despite the unfamiliar surroundings for European club football. The surface held up well throughout the match, with both sets of players able to express themselves technically.
The stadium’s location in the Philadelphia sports complex meant excellent transport links from the city center, with shuttle services running from 30th Street Station throughout the match day.
Live Coverage
Matches in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup group stage were available across multiple platforms. Fans in the United Kingdom could follow updates via Sky Sports, while international audiences had access through FIFA’s own streaming platform. The match kicked off at 16:00 UTC, which translated to 12:00 local time in Philadelphia.
Is Man City vs Wydad AC on TV?
Broadcast details for Club World Cup fixtures vary by region, with FIFA ensuring extensive coverage across major markets for the 2025 edition.
Kick-off Time
The match began at 16:00 UTC on 18 June 2025. Viewers in the United States could catch the action at noon local time, while UK audiences tuned in at 16:00 BST. The early kick-off time reflected the stadium’s scheduling to accommodate the global broadcast window.
TV Information
Sky Sports held the rights for UK coverage, providing pre-match analysis and live commentary throughout the game. In the United States, coverage was split between ESPN and streaming platforms depending on the service tier. Manchester City’s official website also offered a matchday live blog for supporters unable to access broadcast feeds.
With Cherki and Reijnders both making their debuts, future broadcasts in this group stage will likely include tactical analysis segments breaking down how the new signings settled into Guardiola’s system.
Man City vs Wydad AC Match Stats and Prediction
The statistical picture from the match reflected City’s dominance in possession and chance creation, though the red card complicated the underlying numbers in the closing stages.
Key Stats
The statistics below highlight the contrast in performance between the two sides.
| Metric | Man City | Wydad AC |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 | 0 |
| Possession | 68% | 32% |
| Shots on Target | 6 | 2 |
| Corners | 9 | 4 |
| Fouls | 12 | 9 |
| Red Cards | 1 | 0 |
Predictions
City’s performance against Wydad AC suggested they remain genuine contenders for the 2025 Club World Cup title. The 2023 champions demonstrated their quality despite the unfamiliar opponent, with the blend of established stars and new arrivals functioning smoothly in the first hour of play.
For Wydad AC, the result leaves them with work to do in their remaining group matches. Their manager will need to find more creative solutions in midfield if they are to trouble the other Group G sides.
Upsides
- Cherki’s debut suggests immediate integration into Guardiola’s plans
- Doku’s set-piece delivery caused problems all evening
- Clean sheet secured despite late red card
- Three points in the bag from the opening group match
Downsides
- Rico Lewis’s red card raises discipline questions
- Rodri not yet fully integrated into the starting XI
- Wydad AC had few clear chances, suggesting defensive setup may need rethinking
Match Timeline
- — Kick-off at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (SofaScore)
- — Phil Foden scores opening goal for Manchester City (ESPN)
- — Jérémy Doku scores from corner kick (ESPN)
- — Match concludes, Manchester City 2-0 Wydad AC
- — Rico Lewis sent off (Sky Sports)
What They Said
Pep Guardiola on the debutants: “They worked hard in training and earned their place. The way they played tonight shows why we brought them in.”
Phil Foden speaking post-match: “The early goal helped settle us. We wanted to set the tone for the tournament.”
For Manchester City, the opening result provides momentum, but Guardiola will know his side must sharpen at the back, particularly in set-piece situations. The debutants gave encouraging accounts of themselves, and if Rodri builds his minutes progressively, City will enter the knockout stages as serious contenders for the title.
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Manchester City’s 2-0 Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC, where the match recap spotlights Foden’s record goal alongside Doku’s strike, featured these confirmed lineups.
Frequently asked questions
What are the confirmed lineups for Man City vs Wydad AC?
Manchester City started Ederson (C), Lewis, Reis, Ake, O’Reilly, Reijnders, Foden, Cherki, Savinho, Doku, and Marmoush. Wydad AC fielded Benabid, Moufid, Boutouil, Moufi, Meijers, Ferreira, El Moubarik, Zemraoui, Lorch, Amrabat, and Mailula.
Where was Man City vs Wydad AC played?
The match took place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, on 18 June 2025.
What was the score in Man City vs Wydad AC?
Manchester City won 2-0, with Phil Foden scoring in the 2nd minute and Jérémy Doku adding the second from a corner kick in the 42nd minute.
Is Doku starting for Man City against Wydad?
Yes, Jérémy Doku started on the left flank and scored the second goal in the 42nd minute.
How can I watch Man City vs Wydad AC highlights?
Highlights are available through Sky Sports and ESPN’s digital platforms, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup official channels.
What is the formation for Man City vs Wydad?
Manchester City lined up in a 4-1-4-1 formation with Reijnders sitting deep in midfield and Marmoush leading the line as striker.
Who are Wydad AC’s key attackers?
Thembinkosi Lorch and Nordin Amrabat were Wydad AC’s main attacking threats, with Cassius Mailula completing the forward line.
Who scored for Manchester City in the match?
Phil Foden scored in the 2nd minute and Jérémy Doku scored in the 42nd minute from a corner kick.