The Treble winners jetted out for the showpiece global club tournament, which this year is being staged in Saudi Arabia, straight after Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
City, who earned our place at the FIFA Club World Cup after winning last season’s Champions League, begin our campaign on Tuesday with a semi-final clash against Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
The 2022 AFC Champions League winners reached the final four of the competition thanks a 1-0 victory over Mexican team Club Leon last Friday.
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For City, it’s our first-ever foray into the Club World Cup with the Club also seeking to become the first team in English history to win the quintet of league, FA Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
And for Guardiola, who tasted success in the tournament when in charge of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, leading City into the tournament is something to be both savoured and enjoyed.
“We love to go to play in the FIFA Club World Cup,” the City manager declared.
“I am very pleased and excited to go there to try to win it, of course.
“It’s nice [the possibility of being world champions]. It’s a goal we could not have imagined to be there, but we are there.
“To play this tournament you need to be there and fly there, and we will see the environment, then play Urawa and try get to the final.
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“It’s nice. We are there. Saturday was more difficult but Sunday we will say come on.
“The schedule is what it is, the results are what they are, and we have to accept it. But if we don’t improve that in that position it’s always more difficult.”
City flew out to Jeddah for the Club World Cup on the back of what was a frustrating 2-2 Premier League draw with Palace at the Etihad.
The reigning champions had opened up a dominant 2-0 lead early in the second half and looked poised for victory.
However, the Eagles narrowed the deficit with 16 minutes to go and then claimed a dramatic and unexpected 95th minute leveller when Michael Olise scored from the penalty spot.
It was the third consecutive Premier League draw at the Etihad and reflecting on the results, the boss said: “Of course, we have to win games and it depends on ourselves not to think about the distance and what they do and possibilities.
“I had a feeling the last three games here where we drop points, we were excellent. Really, really good. But the reality is three points - we could not win it. This is the reality.
“But performance wise it was really, really good. And at the end we are not able to close the games. This is the reality.”
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