Additionally to its Club World Cup guide, Sports Talk United here presents the Group G of the competition, which will take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025.
Which teams are in Group G of the Club World Cup?
Group G features Manchester City, Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus. It’s a group that mixes European pedigree, North African dominance, Gulf ambition and current Premier League champions – setting the stage for some intriguing matchups.
Manchester City, fresh off another strong domestic campaign, enter the tournament as one of the favourites and the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. Juventus, revitalised under a new project, bring their iconic European stature to the competition.
Morocco’s Wydad AC, one of Africa’s most successful clubs, come in riding a wave of continental dominance. Meanwhile, Al Ain, based in the UAE, are eager to showcase their rise in Asian football after an impressive AFC Champions League run.
How did each Group G team qualify for the Club World Cup?
Manchester City — England (UEFA)
City booked their place at the Club World Cup as the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League winners, finally clinching the European crown that had long eluded them.
Juventus — Italy (UEFA)
The Turin giants earned their spot based on their UEFA coefficient ranking, having consistently qualified for and performed well in the Champions League during the qualification period.
Wydad AC — Morocco (CAF)
Wydad earned their place in the tournament after winning the 2021–22 CAF Champions League and following it up with strong continental campaigns. This marks yet another chapter in their storied African legacy.
Al Ain FC — United Arab Emirates (AFC)
Al Ain reached the Club World Cup by winning the 2024 AFC Champions League, returning to the global stage for the first time since finishing runners-up as hosts in 2018.
Group G match schedule: Key dates and fixtures
The first match in Group G will pit Manchester City against Wydad AC on June 18 to kick off the group.
- June 18: Manchester City vs Wydad AC — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (12pm EDT, 5pm BST, 6pm CEST)
- June 18: Al Ain FC vs Juventus — Audi Field, Washington D.C.(9pm EDT, 2am BST, 3am CEST)
- June 22: Juventus vs Wydad AC — Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia (12pm EDT, 4pm BST, 5pm CEST)
- June 22: Manchester City vs Al Ain FC — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (9pm EDT, 2am BST, 3am CEST)
- June 26: Juventus vs Manchester City — Camping World Stadium, Orlando (3pm EDT, 8pm BST, 9pm CEST)
- June 26: Wydad AC vs Al Ain FC — Audi Field, Washington D.C. (3pm EDT, 8pm BST, 9pm CEST)
Key players to watch in Group G
Omar Marmoush — Manchester City
Now one of City’s key men, the Egyptian enters the Club World Cup off the back of a stellar domestic season. With his eye for goal and creativity, he’ll be a driving force for City in this group.
Dusan Vlahovic — Juventus
The Serbian striker remains Juventus’ primary goal threat. After a 10-goal season in Serie A, Vlahovic is out to prove his worth on the world stage against a variety of international defences.
Mohamed Rayhi — Wydad AC
The Dutch-Moroccan forward was Wydad AC’s standout attacker during the 2024–25 season, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 11 league goals. Known for his sharp movement and clinical finishing, Rayhi adds a vital edge to Wydad’s forward line and will be key to their hopes of progressing from the group.
Soufiane Rahimi — Al Ain FC
The Moroccan winger was the star of Al Ain’s AFC Champions League-winning campaign, scoring decisive goals and creating constant problems for defenders. His flair and pace will be vital to Al Ain’s hopes.
What’s at stake in Group G?
With only two teams progressing to the knockout stages, Group G is as competitive as they come. For Manchester City, anything less than topping the group would be considered underwhelming. Juventus, meanwhile, are desperate to return to global relevance and see this tournament as a chance to do just that.
Wydad and Al Ain may be underdogs on paper, but both teams have shown the ability to upset higher-ranked opponents in continental play. A deep run would not only be historic but also boost football’s presence in their respective regions.
The stakes are high – reputations, pride and global recognition are all on the line.
