Manchester City’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been selected for the club’s roster in the upcoming 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, marking his return after nearly four months of injury absence.
De Bruyne’s last appearance for City dates back to the Premier League season opener against Burnley on August 11, where he suffered a hamstring injury just 23 minutes into the game. In a recent statement, the Belgian likened his hamstrings to “wet kitchen towel” but expressed his hope to return to the field in early 2024.
While it remains uncertain whether De Bruyne will see playing time in the tournament or if his inclusion is a strategic move to secure a medal in the event of City’s victory, his name in the squad raises the possibility of an earlier comeback.
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The Man City 2023 FIFA Club World Cup squad includes:
Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega, Scott Carson
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Sergio Gomez, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Rico Lewis
Midfielders: Kalvin Phillips, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Phil Foden
Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, Oscar Bobb
The tournament kicks off on December 12, starting with a first-round clash between host representative Al Ittihad and OFC champions Auckland City from New Zealand. Manchester City and Copa Libertadores winners Fluminense will join the semi-finals, scheduled for December 18 and 19, respectively.
The finals of the Club World Cup, set to take place at King Abdullah Sports City on December 22, have historically been dominated by European teams since the competition’s establishment in 2005, replacing the Intercontinental Cup. The only non-European side to win the Club World Cup to date is Corinthians in 2012. The landscape has shifted, with South American clubs featuring less frequently in recent finals, as teams from Mexico, UAE, Japan, Morocco, and DR Congo have made significant impacts.