Manchester City Pre-season  Plan May Change After Shock Club World Cup Exit

Manchester City’s early Club World Cup exit could force a major rethink of their pre-season plans, with the squad now facing a long stretch without competitive fixtures before the 2025/26 Premier League begins in mid-August.

Pep Guardiola’s side were eliminated in the Round of 16 following a dramatic 4-3 extra-time defeat to Al Hilal in Orlando. City had looked strong in the group stage—especially in their 5-2 win over Juventus—but defensive vulnerabilities reappeared in their knockout clash.

Despite dominating early proceedings and taking a deserved lead through Bernardo Silva, City failed to capitalise on their chances. Al Hilal responded quickly after half-time and exploited City’s weaknesses on the break, eventually winning in extra time.

The loss means that City played only four matches instead of the expected seven, which had been structured as their pre-season campaign. Guardiola must now assess whether the current break is too long, and if additional fixtures should be scheduled to maintain rhythm and conditioning.

“This tournament was being treated as pre-season,” a source close to the club stated. “Now the challenge is how to bridge the gap until August 16.”

 FAQ

• Why was this City’s pre-season?
  The Club World Cup was meant to serve as a substitute for traditional pre-season tours.
• What happens now?
  City may need to arrange friendlies or training camps to stay sharp ahead of the new season.
• When is City’s Premier League opener?
  City begin their league campaign away at Wolves on August 16.

 Conclusion

Manchester City’s early Club World Cup exit has created a scheduling conundrum. While there were positives from their performance, the lack of competitive action over the next seven weeks could disrupt their preparations for the new season. Guardiola and his team must now adapt swiftly.