Grealish Omission Highlights Manchester City’s Changing Guard Ahead of Club World Cup

Jack Grealish has been left out of Manchester City’s 27-man squad for the FIFA Club World Cup, in a move that raises fresh doubts over his future at the club.

The tournament, which begins Saturday in Miami, will feature City’s revamped lineup under manager Pep Guardiola, who is steering the club through its first major rebuild in nearly a decade. Among the new faces are Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, all signed recently as part of a wider shake-up following a trophyless 2024 campaign.

Grealish, once Britain’s most expensive player after his £100 million move from Aston Villa in 2021, was conspicuously absent from the traveling squad. The 29-year-old forward, who has won three Premier League titles and the Champions League with City, made only seven league starts last season and has been increasingly on the margins.

His exclusion will likely intensify speculation that his time at the Etihad is nearing its end. Grealish now joins Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker among the high-profile players expected to depart this summer. De Bruyne is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of June, while Walker’s January loan move to AC Milan all but confirmed his exit.

Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad blends experience with youth and signals a clear intent to reshape the team’s core. The defensive lineup sees fresh additions such as Khusanov and Vitor Reis, while midfield reinforcements like Reijnders and Cherki are expected to offer more dynamism. Up front, Omar Marmoush and Savinho will support Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku.

City’s first test in the 32-team tournament will be against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca next Wednesday in Philadelphia. They are grouped with Italian giants Juventus and UAE’s Al Ain, with only two teams advancing to the knockout stage.

While Grealish’s omission might have seemed unthinkable just a year ago, it now reflects a clear shift in Guardiola’s strategy. The manager appears determined to inject new energy into a squad that fell short last season, with Liverpool ending their domestic dominance.

As Guardiola looks to reclaim silverware on the international stage, the absence of long-time stalwarts marks the start of a new chapter at Manchester City, one that may no longer include Jack Grealish.