Manchester City’s Preparations Ahead of the Club World Cup

Manchester City have officially begun their training for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup after arriving in Miami late Thursday night.

The squad departed from Manchester Airport earlier in the day and have now settled into their accommodation in Boca Raton. Their base for this phase of preparation is at Lynn University, where training sessions are set to begin immediately as the players look to adjust to the time difference and shake off any jet lag.

Their training ground, Bobby Campbell Stadium, has been dressed in City’s iconic colours and logos to welcome the team. This floodlit facility, equipped with covered stands and a seating capacity for around 500 spectators, will serve as City’s training home during the early stages of the tournament.

City’s first match in the Club World Cup takes place on Wednesday against Wydad AC in Philadelphia. Following that, they’ll play Al Ain in Atlanta and Juventus in Orlando as part of the group stage.

Pep Guardiola is expected to hold his first press conference of the competition on Tuesday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, where he’ll preview the clash with Wydad AC.

Interestingly, City aren’t the only team preparing in the Palm Beach area. European rivals Real Madrid are training nearby at Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens, just a 30-minute drive away.

Unlike previous summer tours that are often filled with sponsorship and commercial events, this trip is focused almost entirely on football. With a tight schedule and high-stakes matches on the horizon, off-pitch activities will be kept to a minimum.

Lynn University’s Athletics Director, Kathy Kroupa, expressed her excitement about hosting the team: “We’re incredibly excited and honoured to welcome Manchester City to Lynn University as they prepare for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Hosting one of the world’s top football clubs is a major milestone for us—not only does it showcase our excellent training facilities, but it also opens doors for meaningful partnerships in the future.”

Kroupa added that this opportunity aligns perfectly with the university’s recent success, celebrating their men’s soccer team’s 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship win. She hopes that the collaboration with City brings mutual benefits to both parties, on and off the pitch.

Meanwhile, City’s squad has been boosted with the arrival of defender Manuel Akanji, who joined his teammates in Florida after staying in the U.S. following international duty with Switzerland, who faced both Mexico and the USA in friendlies.

With training now underway, City are setting their sights on making a strong start to the competition and laying the foundation for another potential trophy-winning campaign.