Man City may need to play two games in one day as Club World Cup problem emerges

Manchester City could potentially have two games in the same day due to their involvement in this year's FIFA Club World Cup.

City are participating in the continental tournament for the first time in their history after finally getting their hands on the Champions League trophy in June thanks to a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in Istanbul.

This year's Club World Cup will be the final one in its current form as the competition expands, with the 2025 edition taking place in the United States as a precursor for the World Cup a year later.

City will want to win the trophy and add it to their growing collection but they will face a major dilemma.

Pep Guardiola's side are scheduled to face the winner of Club Leon and Urawa Red Diamonds in the semi-final on 19 December at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

But the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, a competition City have won eight times, take place in the week commencing the 18 December.

Should City progress in round three and four, they will either have two scheduled matches on the same day or a day apart.

Image: Getty

Liverpool encountered the same problem back in 2019, with Jurgen Klopp prioritising the Club World Cup and going on to win the tournament.

However, it came at the expense of the League Cup, where Liverpool played Aston Villa in the same period.

Under 23's boss Neil Critchley took charge of an extremely young Liverpool side, who were trounced 5-0 at Villa Park.

City take on Newcastle at St James' Park in the third round but Guardiola has already made no secret of his desire to "complete the set" with the Club World Cup.

Image: Getty

“We miss just one to finish all circle and be able for this club to win all the titles we can have," the Catalan stated.

"It’s happening in December, when we go to Saudi Arabia to play there, the (Club) World Cup.

Topics: Manchester City, FIFA Club World Cup, Carabao Cup, Pep Guardiola

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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