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On Thursday evening Pep Guardiola‘s side found out the three teams we will face in the group stage of the new competition - Wydad FC, Al Ain FC and Juventus.
With some teams a familiar face to City and others new to worldwide club competitions, find out more about our opponents below, in alphabetical order...
AL AIN FC
Location: Al Ain are based in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
They have played at the 25,000 capacity Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the eastern region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 2014.
Qualification: ‘Al Zaeem’ are the reigning AFC Champions League holders after defeating Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos in the final in May 2024.
That earned them one of AFC’s four spots alongside Al Hilal, Ulsan HD and Urawa Red Diamonds.
History: Formed in 1968 as Al Ain Sports Club, they are the most successful side in the United Arab Emirates with 14 UAE Pro League titles to their name.
Their crest depicts Al Jahili Fort which was established in the late 19th century and is seen as a symbol of the city.
They began life by wearing green and white shirts but after a friendly tournament in 1977 organised by Wydad AC (also in City’s group at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025) in which Al Ain faced Anderlecht, they decided to adopt the Belgian team’s iconic purple strip.
Manager: Former Sporting CP and Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim is the new man in charge at Al Ain having succeeded Hernan Crespo last month.
Jardim was the manager of the exciting 2016/17 Monaco side that included the likes of Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe and eliminated City on the way to the last four of the Champions League.
Since 2021, he has conducted all of his coaching work in the Middle East – taking charfe of Al Hilal, Shabab Al Ahli and Al-Rayyan before this latest job.
Star players: The vast majority of Al Ain’s squad are from the UAE, with the likes of captain Bandar Al-Ahbabi and goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stars for their country.
The squad also includes several Argentinian talents and the likes of South Korea international Park Yong-woo and Togo striker Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba.
Current form: Al Ain have started this season with three wins, two draws and one defeat from their first six matches in the UAE Pro League, leaving them down in sixth.
They have not yet won a match in the AFC Champions League and sit 11th in the 12-team Elite league stage.
JUVENTUS
Location: Turin, Italy
Qualification: The Serie A side qualified via the ranking pathway after Napoli and Lazio were eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16.
History: The Italian giants were founded in 1897 by a group of Torinese students. Since then they have won 36 league titles, 15 Coppa Italia trophies and nine Italian Super Cups, making them the record holders for all three.
On the international stage, Juventus have also lifted two Champions League, two Intercontinental Cups, one European Cup Winners’ Cup, three UEFA Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and one UEFA Intertoto Cup.
Manager: Thiago Motta became the Head Coach of Juventus in June 2024. Prior to his move to Turin, Motta managed Genoa, Spezia and Bologna.
Before becoming a coach, Motta enjoyed an almost 20-year playing career which began at Barcelona before stints at Atletico Madrid, Genoa, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain as a defensive midfielder.
Star players: Left-back Andrea Cambiaso and winger Kenan Yildiz have totalled 19 appearances in all competitions, the highest in the squad, proving to be key players in Motta’s system.
Striker Dusan Vlahovic is continuing to impress in front of goal with nine goals in 16 appearances. Former Aston Villa and City midfielder Douglas Luiz is part of the Juventus squad after moving last summer.
Current form: At the time of writing, Juventus are placed sixth, chasing Napoli at the Serie A summit who have 32 points compared to Juventus’s 26 after 14 games.
WYDAD AC
Location: Casablanca, Morocco
Qualification: Wydad are one of four teams representing Africa, earning their place in the summer competition after being crowned champions of the 2021/22 CAF Champions League.
History: One of three clubs to have never been relegated from the Moroccan top flight, Wydad AC were founded in 1937.
Domestically, the Botola side have won 22 league titles, nine Moroccan Throne Cups and four Moroccan Elite Cups which makes them the most decorated club in the country.
Manager: South African born Rhulani Mokwena has managed Wydad AC since July 2024, his first club outside of his home country.
Wydad are the second team he has been the Head Coach of in his managerial career, having gained experience as the assistant coach at various South African clubs over the past decade.
Star players: Nassim Chadli, an exciting winger to watch, is Wydad’s highest goal contributor with two goals and two assists in 11 games in all competitions. They have lots of other strong attacking options in Hamza Sakhi, Walid Nassi and Mohamed Rayhi who can all test any defensive line.
Current form: After 12 league games, Wydad AC sit fourth with 19 points compared to leaders RSB Berkane’s 27.
