Foden eyes history as City chase first 2025 Club World Cup title
When Phil Foden of Manchester City Football Club sat down with FIFA officials ahead of the tournament, he made one thing crystal clear: the sky‑blue side are "hungry to try to make history" in the inaugural 32‑team edition of the Club World Cup.
The revamped competition kicks off on 18 June 2025 and runs through 1 July, spread across venues in the United States. City will open the group stage at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a stadium more known for NFL thrills than football drama.
Background: The Club World Cup gets a facelift
FIFA’s decision in early 2024 to expand the World Cup from seven to thirty‑two clubs was meant to give every confederation a fairer shot at the global stage. The new format mirrors the World Cup’s own evolution, slotting the champions of each continental tournament – plus a host nation spot – into four groups of eight. The shift sparked a flurry of commentary, with pundits like Gary Lineker calling it "the most democratic club competition ever".
For City, the change is a double‑edged sword. On one hand, the club avoids the awkward pre‑quarter‑final bye that used to benefit the European champions. On the other, they now face a grueling group schedule that could test squad depth.
City’s group stage and Foden’s impact
Drawn into Group G, City’s opponents are a diverse trio: Wydad Athletic Club from Casablanca, Morocco; Al Ain Football Club representing the United Arab Emirates; and the Italian giants Juventus Football Club.
Foden wasted no time. Six minutes into the opening match against Wydad, he netted what the tournament’s official stats now list as the fastest goal of the competition. The 2‑0 win not only set City on six points but also marked the midfielder’s first senior goal since recovering from an ankle injury that kept him out of England’s June friendlies.
A week later, City cruised to a 6‑0 demolition of Al Ain, with Foden appearing for 45 minutes before being subbed off. He didn’t score, but his movement opened up space for teammates, a point he later made to ESPN: "The hunger inside me is back and I want to prove people wrong. It was a difficult season, I'm not going to lie… I'm just looking forward to the season."
The final group game against Juventus proved the most dramatic. City went up 5‑2, and Foden, who had only 24 minutes on the pitch, added his second tournament goal. The Italian side, despite a late surge, fell 5‑2, sealing City’s top‑place finish and a perfect record.
Milestones and contract talks
While the group stage was a showcase, the knockout round delivered the storybook moment fans will remember for years. In the round‑of‑16 clash with Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal FC, City fell 3‑4 after extra time. Yet, in the dying moments, Foden struck his third goal of the tournament and crossed the 100‑career‑goal threshold for City – a landmark only 19 other players have hit in the club’s 141‑year history.
Reaching 100 goals in his 319th appearance placed Foden alongside Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, who became the first current City player to do so in September 2024. The milestone has already sparked speculation about a new contract. Foden, whose deal runs until 2027, told reporters: "I've not heard nothing. We'll see what happens." The silence from City’s hierarchy suggests negotiations are still in the early stages.
Reactions from coach, rivals, and fans
City’s Spanish mastermind, Pep Guardiola, praised the squad’s mental resilience. "These young players showed they belong on the world stage," he said after the Al Hilal match. "Phil’s ability to find the net at crucial moments shows the quality we’ve built."
Rival clubs took note. Liverpool’s sporting director, Michele Aurora, admitted in a post‑match interview that City’s performance “has raised the bar for European clubs in global competitions.”
Fans, meanwhile, have been vocal on social media. A trending hashtag #Foden100 trended across Twitter and Instagram, with supporters sharing clips of the striker’s celebration and chanting his name at Etihad Stadium.
What the tournament means for City’s future
Should City lift the trophy, they will become the first club ever crowned champions of the new format – a historic accolade that could bolster their commercial appeal, especially in emerging markets like the Middle East and North Africa, where their group‑stage opponents command huge followings.
Financially, the prize money attached to a World Cup win dwarfs that of the UEFA Champions League, potentially adding hundreds of millions of dollars to City’s balance sheet. That boost could feed into the club’s ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the planned expansion of the Etihad Academy.
Strategically, a triumph would solidify Guardiola’s legacy as the manager who not only dominated domestic football but also conquered the global stage, a feat only a handful of coaches have achieved.
Key facts
- Tournament dates: 18 June – 1 July 2025
- City’s Group G opponents: Wydad AC, Al Ain, Juventus
- Foden’s tournament tally: 3 goals in 4 matches
- Fastest goal: 6th minute vs. Wydad AC
- Milestone: 100 career goals for City on 1 July 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How does City’s performance affect Phil Foden’s contract negotiations?
City’s strong showing – especially the 100‑goal milestone – gives Foden leverage in talks. The club’s board will likely offer a raise or extension to retain a player who has proven he can deliver on the world stage, but they also must balance wage caps imposed by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
What makes the 2025 Club World Cup different from previous editions?
The jump from seven to thirty‑two clubs means every continental champion now competes, removing the automatic semi‑final berth for the European champion. It also introduces a group phase, meaning teams must win multiple matches to advance, which tests depth and squad rotation more than ever.
Which teams were in City’s Group G and how did they fare?
Group G featured Wydad AC (Morocco), Al Ain (UAE) and Juventus (Italy). City beat Wydad 2‑0, thrashed Al Ain 6‑0, and defeated Juventus 5‑2, finishing top with a perfect record of three wins.
What do experts say about City’s chances of winning the tournament?
Football analysts from Sky Sports and The Athletic argue City are favorites due to squad depth and tactical flexibility. However, they caution that clubs like Al Hilal and the South American champions have the experience of winning on foreign soil, which could make the knockout rounds a tighter affair.
How will Foden’s 100‑goal milestone be remembered?
The 100‑goal mark, reached in a high‑pressure extra‑time knockout game, cements Foden’s status as one of City’s modern greats. Fans and club historians are already penciling it into the Hall of Fame alongside legends like Sergio Aguero and Yaya Touré.