Kevin De Bruyne included in Manchester City squad for 2023 FIFA Club World Cup

Manchester City have submitted their squad to FIFA for the upcoming Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, with Kevin De Bruyne among the list for the tournament.

Pep Guardiola’s side secured their first ever appearance at the world-renowned club competition through their maiden success in the UEFA Champions League, having overcome the challenge of Inter in an Istanbul final last summer.

Success in Europe’s premier club competition marked a historic campaign for Manchester City, as they recorded a Treble success through accompanying victories in the Premier League and Emirates FA Cup.

As such Manchester City will now compete with other Champions League and continent winners from across the globe in a showpiece competition held in Saudi Arabia, with Pep Guardiola and his players entering at the semi-final stage on December 18.

The FIFA Club World Cup sees the winners of the UEFA Champions League, Oceania Champions League, Asian Champions League, CONCACAF Champions League, African Champions League, Copa Libertadores, and Saudi Arabian National League all compete against one another.

Fixtures

First Round, Match 1: Al-Ittihad vs Auckland City, 12 December 2023

Second Round, Match 3: Club Leon vs Urawa Red Diamonds, 15 December 2023
Second Round, Match 2: Al Ahly vs Winner of Match 1, 15 December, 2023

Semi-Finals, Match 4: Fluminense vs Winner of Match 2, 18 December 2023
Semi-Finals, Match 5: Winner of Match 3 vs Manchester City, 19 December 2023

Match for Third Place, Match 6: Loser of Match 4 vs Loser of Match 5, 22 December 2023

Final, Match 7: Winner of Match 4 vs Winner of Match 5, 22 December 2023

FIFA have revealed that the 2023 tournament will be played in the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, holding approximately 62,000 and 27,000 spectators, respectively.

Ahead of the start of the competition on December 12, Manchester City have now submitted a 23-man squad list to FIFA for the competition, with long-term absentee Kevin De Bruyne included among the roster.

Manchester City’s 23-man squad list

Goalkeepers: Ederson, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Scott Carson.

Defenders: Rico Lewis, Kyle Walker, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, Sergio Gomez.

Midfielders: Kalvin Phillips, Rodrigo, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva.

Forwards: Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb.

While Kevin De Bruyne has been named in Manchester City’s submitted squad list, the Manchester Evening News have confirmed that the Belgium international will represent the Etihad side as a club captain, but will not be fit enough to play in either game in Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia ahead of their debut in the FIFA Club World Cup shortly after a Premier League encounter with Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium on December 16.