Ruben Dias believes Manchester City’s chances of success at the Club World Cup will depend on how quickly they can adapt to the different styles of play that will be on show.
City head to the United States this summer hoping to end a difficult season on a high in FIFA’s new, expanded showpiece.
Pep Guardiola’s side line up in Group G alongside Wydad Casablanca, who they meet in their opener in Philadelphia on June 18, Al Ain and Juventus.
Each side will pose a different problem and Dias is eager to see how City will cope.
“It will be a different challenge”
Ruben Dias speaks ahead of the @FIFACWC 💪
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 2, 2025
The Portugal defender told FIFA.com: “It will be a different challenge because you play teams from different continents with different ways of seeing the game.
“The adaptation you have to make to do that is a big part of being successful.
“We’ve had the taste of it when playing for our national teams but it’s different because that’s a different space that you’re not involved in the whole year.
“It will be interesting and it’s one everyone will want to win.”
Global powerhouses line up for expanded competition
City will start as one of the favourites, alongside Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Flamengo and recently crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Dias added: “We’ve been to America before in pre-season and we feel the warmth.
“It’s always a special moment when we play in front of fans that might not normally have the chance to watch us play live. It’s a new competition and a prestigious one.
“Of course, the teams that are involved make the competition as big as it can get.”
City’s hopes received a blow earlier today when it was announced midfielder Mateo Kovacic would not make the trip after undergoing Achilles surgery.
