Club World Cup Group G predictions: Who will qualify? Will Erling Haaland be top scorer?

Manchester City are bidding to retain the FIFA Club World Cup when they compete at this summer’s newly-expanded 32-team tournament in the United States.

The 2023 champions are regarded as the favourites to qualify from Group G, but they must test their mettle against Juventus, Al-Ain and Wydad AC to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at Group G in greater depth.

Club World Cup Group G standings

Club World Cup Group G fixtures

(all times BST)

Matchday 1

Man City vs. Wydad AC (Wednesday, June 18 | 5pm)

Al-Ain vs. Juventus (Thursday, June 19 | 2am)

Matchday 2

Juventus vs. Wydad AC (Sunday, June 22 | 5pm)

Man City vs. Al-Ain (Monday, June 23 | 2am)

Matchday 3

Juventus vs. Man City (Thursday, June 26 | 8pm)

Wydad AC vs. Al-Ain (Thursday, June 26 | 8pm)

Club World Cup Group G predictions - who will qualify?

It is difficult to look beyond the two European giants qualifying as the top-two teams in Group G, with Man City having our vote to pip Juventus to first place and gain revenge over the Italian outfit who beat them 2-0 in the League Phase of the Champions League six months ago.

The Citizens and the Old Lady should breeze past Wydad AC and Al-Ain in their opening two group fixtures before battling it out on matchday three. Boosted by the addition of new signings and the return of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Man City will back themselves not just to top the group, but to go all the way and retain their world title.

There is little to separate Morocco’s most successful side, 22-time champions Wydad AC, and 2023-24 AFC Champions League winners Al-Ain, but the former will fancy their chances of avoiding a rock-bottom finish in Group G.

Final Group G standings prediction

Who will be the top scorer from Group G?

If Man City are to progress deep into this summer’s tournament, they will likely rely on the prolific brilliance of Erling Haaland, who has scored a remarkable 121 goals in 141 games since joining Pep Guardiola’s side in 2022, netting over 30 goals in each of his three seasons with the Citizens.

The Norwegian did not contribute to City’s Club World Cup triumph in 2023 due to injury, but he will be chomping at the bit to try and fire the Citizens to glory this time around.

Man City to claim maximum points in Group G

Seeking to move swiftly on from a turbulent 2024-25 campaign in which they failed to win a major trophy for the first time in eight years, Man City are determined to put things right immediately and are viewing this summer’s Club World Cup as the start of a new season.

Boasting a stronger squad with almost everyone fit and available, the Citizens will be confident of beating Wydad AC and Al-Ain in comfortable fashion, before testing themselves against Juventus, who themselves experienced a mixed 2024-25 domestic campaign.

While Juve are certainly no pushovers, Man City will still be regarded as the favourites to come out on top when they face Igor Tudor’s side on matchday three, and they will hope to enter the knockout rounds with three wins from three under their belt.

Written by
Oliver Thomas