Haaland Returns as Manchester City Face Al-Hilal in FIFA Club World Cup Showdown
🏟️ City’s Starting XI: Guardiola Makes Key Changes
Manchester City vs Al-Hilal Club World Cup is the standout fixture in the Round of 16, as Erling Haaland returns to the starting XI for Pep Guardiola’s side. The match, held at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, marks City’s next step toward lifting the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after topping Group G with a perfect record.
⚽ City XI vs Al-Hilal:
- Starting XI: Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Gundogan, Reijnders, Bernardo (C); Savinho, Doku, Haaland
- Bench: Ortega, Stones, Foden, Rodri, Marmoush, Akanji, Bobb, O’Reilly, and more
🔄 Al-Hilal’s Response: Balanced Lineup
Al-Hilal, the Saudi powerhouse, enters this match after finishing second in Group H with two draws and one win. Their starting lineup includes stars like João Cancelo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinković-Savić, and Malcom.
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
Guardiola sets up with a strong back four of Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and Ait-Nouri to shield Ederson. Midfield leadership comes from Gundogan, Reijnders, and Silva, while pace and creativity will come from Savinho and Doku on the wings. Erling Haaland leads the line.
This formation mirrors the one used in City’s dominant 6-0 victory over Al Ain earlier in the tournament.
🔥 City’s Red-Hot Club World Cup Form
Manchester City is the only team with a 100% record heading into the knockout stage. They won all three group matches, including a decisive win over Juventus. Key stats from the group stage:
- ✅ 3 wins from 3
- ⚽ 13 goals scored (most in tournament)
- 🎯 60 shots (most overall)
- 📊 9.9 xG (highest expected goals)
- 🔄 4 goals from substitutes (most)
Pep Guardiola has a flawless record in this competition, winning all 11 matches he’s coached in the Club World Cup across formats, with a massive 38-4 goal differential.
🎽 Special Feature: KidSuper Kit Returns
Tonight marks the second appearance of City’s limited-edition KidSuper kit, first worn during their 6-0 rout of Al Ain in Atlanta. The jersey has quickly become iconic, symbolic of City’s explosive form in the tournament.
🏁 What’s at Stake?
A place in the quarter-final awaits the winner of this match, where they’ll face Fluminense back at the Camping World Stadium on Friday, 4 July.
With momentum on their side, Manchester City looks to continue their dominant run, while Al-Hilal will aim to cause an upset with their experienced squad.
📺 How to Watch
The match will stream live and free globally on DAZN. Fans can register for a free account to watch.
❓ FAQs
❓ When is the Manchester City vs Al-Hilal Club World Cup match?
Tuesday, July 2, 2025, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
❓ Where can I watch the match live?
The match is available live and free worldwide on DAZN with a simple account registration.
❓ Who are the key players to watch?
Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Savinho for City, and Malcom, Milinković-Savić, and Neves for Al-Hilal.
❓ What’s next for the winner?
They’ll advance to face Fluminense in the quarter-final on July 4, 2025.
🔚 Final Thoughts
With Haaland back in the lineup, City’s firepower is restored. Their perfect group stage form and Pep’s incredible record in this competition make them clear favorites—but knockout football always carries surprises.
