FIFA Club World Cup Feature | Group G Preview: European Giants Collide, Asian/African Challengers Refuse Mere Cameos

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup debuts in USA, with a brand-new look. 32 top clubs will gather together to kick off the ultimate showdown among clubs. This edition brings you Group G preview, featuring Juventus FC (The Bianconeri of Serie A), Manchester City (The Sky Blues of the Premier League), Al Ain FC ( The Giants of UAE Pro League), Wydad Casablanca  (The Powerhouses of Botola). European powerhouses set to collide, while Al Ain FC and Wydad Casablanca face a daunting challenge. Can the Asian and African giants rise to the occasion?

Juventus FC - The Bianconeri of Serie A

Juventus FC were founded as Sport-Club Juventus in late 1897 by pupils from the Massimo d'Azeglio Lyceum school in Turin. In Latin, the name 'Juventus' means youth. In 1905, Juventus FC won the Serie A title for the first time. In the 1930s, they won five consecutive championships. Since then, they have become increasingly powerful and have claimed the Serie A title 36 times to date. Juventus FC have also won the Coppa Italia 15 times and the Supercoppa Italiana 9 times, holding the Italian records. In European competitions, they've claimed 2 Champions League and 3 Europa League titles. However, since the 21st century, the Bianconeri have never been able to reach the peak in Europe.

This season, Juventus FC have experienced ups and downs. Motta was dismissed and Tudor took over. Eventually, they finished fourth in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League next season. In the Coppa Italia, this giants were eliminated in the quarter-final, and in the Champions League, they even failed to advance to the round of 16, showing that they had the will but lacked the strength. But as Locatelli declared, "We will give our all at the FIFA Club World Cup to honor this jersey's legacy." Perhaps, the FIFA Club World Cup will be the stage for them to prove themselves.

Juventus FC specialize in Italian-style counterattacks and set-piece efficiency. Their three-center-back system maximizes width coverage to solidify defense, then utilizes wing advances with crosses for central finishing. The clash against Manchester City is the marquee matchup of this group stage. Striker Dusan Vlahovic boasts exceptional physicality and aerial dominance, excelling at heading and clinical finishing. This season, he has made 41 appearances for Juventus FC in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists.

Manchester City - The Sky Blues of the Premier League

Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), Manchester City became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. In 1904, the club won their first FA Cup title. After rising to prominence in the 1960s, they went through a period of decline, culminating in relegation to the third tier of English football. In 2008, the takeover by a Middle Eastern consortium transformed Manchester City into Premier League powerhouses. The club have won 10 English top-flight titles to date, achieving an unprecedented four-peat from the 2020-21 to 2023-24 seasons. The Sky Blues have also claimed 7 FA Cups, 8 EFL Cups, 1 UEFA Champions League title, 1 UEFA Super Cup. In the FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City won the championship in 2023.

Manchester City have long been one of the most consistent teams in the Premier League, but this season faced challenges like an aging squad and inconsistent form, ultimately ending up trophyless. While experiencing a poor start in the league, they secured a third-place finish and Champions League qualification for next season. The only regret was their shocking FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, missing out on the trophy.

Manchester City's possession-based football style, under Pep Guardiola, involves a 4-2-3-1 formation to dictate the flow of the game, emphasizing passing movements to navigate through the midfield and into the final third, and breaking through the opponents' defense with high-pressure pressing and a combination of wing play and central penetration. Erling Haaland is Manchester City's goal machine. He won the Premier League Golden Boot for two consecutive seasons. This season, he has made 44 appearances for Manchester City in all competitions, scoring 31 goals and providing 3 assists. The Norwegian striker boasts blistering pace, explosive power, and elite physicality. With lethal efficiency in the box, he excels at poaching and breakaways. Next, he'll spearhead Manchester City's attack in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Al Ain FC - The Giants of UAE Pro League

Al Ain FC are located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1968, they are one of the most successful clubs in the UAE and giants in Asian football. In the UAE, Al Ain FC have won the UAE Pro League 14 times and finished as runners-up 9 times. The club have also claimed 7 UAE President's Cups, 5 UAE Super Cups, and 2 UAE League Cups throughout their history. In the AFC Champions League, Al Ain FC made history in 2003 by becoming the first Emirati club to win the title. After years of absence from the pinnacle, they resurged to glory in the 2023-24 season, defeating Yokohama F. Marinos 6-3 on aggregate in the final. In the FIFA Club World Cup, Al Ain FC also left their mark, finishing as runners-up in 2018 after a 1-4 defeat to Real Madrid in the final.

Tactically, Al Ain FC's 4-4-2 formation blends technical play, combining short-pass penetration with wing-central interplay, making their counterattacks exceptionally sharp. In Group G, facing formidable opponents like Juventus FC and Manchester City, Al Ain FC should indeed focus on defensive counterattacks. Since joining Al Ain FC, Moroccan striker Soufiane Rahimi has been a key striker for the team. He possesses blistering pace and elite dribbling ability. In the 2023-24 AFC Champions League, Soufiane Rahimi scored 13 goals and was named the AFC Champions League MVP.

Wydad Casablanca - The Powerhouses of Botola

Wydad Casablanca is a Moroccan football club established in Casablanca in 1937 .They are traditional powerhouses in Morocco and also giants in North Africa. Wydad Casablanca have won the Botola 22 times and have also claimed 3 CAF Champions League titles. Wydad Casablanca are no strangers to the Club World Cup stage, but as North African powerhouses, there remains a gap compared to clubs from other continents. In both 2017 and 2022, they were eliminated in the early stages.

Wydad Casablanca specialize in rapid flank assaults and efficient counterattacks, complemented by aerial dominance and superior physicality. When facing stronger opponents, they must clinically exploit breakout opportunities. Striker Mohamed Rayhi serves as the team's offensive engine and creative fulcrum, with exceptional solo dribbling and long-range shooting abilities that consistently threaten opposing defenses.

The FIFA Club World Cup's Group G promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with the spotlight firmly on the elite clash between Manchester City and Juventus FC. While representing the fiery aspirations of Asia and Africa, the two giants carry an unyielding belief despite the lopsided matchups. As intercontinental rivalries unfold, fans in the stands can hardly wait for the action to begin.