Manchester City has arrived in Hong Kong to begin their pre-season tour in the Far East. The team, led by manager Enzo Maresca, will play three matches as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 season. The first fixture is scheduled for Saturday against Inter.
Following a long flight from Manchester, the squad immediately engaged in a stretching session that included group games. While players are set to train on the pitch tomorrow, the initial focus is on recovery from the journey and preparing for the tour ahead.
Squad for the Asia Tour
Despite several key players missing due to their participation in the World Cup, Manchester City brings a strong squad to Hong Kong and South Korea. Players such as Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Antoine Semenyo are believed to be part of the touring party. Other players like Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez, Marcus Bettinelli, Rico Lewis, and Savinho are also available for the tour, having either missed out on World Cup qualification or selection.
The tour squad includes players who were knocked out of the World Cup relatively early, or were not involved in the tournament at all. This group is expected to include Gvardiol, Dias, Semenyo, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, Omar Marmoush, and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Kalvin Phillips will also be with the squad, while a decision on Jack Grealish is pending as he recovers from foot surgery in February.
Manager Enzo Maresca will be without seven players who are considered key to the first team. These include Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Elliot Anderson, Rodri, Nico O’Reilly, and Marc Guehi. These players are expected to rejoin the squad three to four days before the Community Shield match against Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16.
Opportunities for Young Talent
The absence of several senior players presents an opportunity for younger members of the squad to impress Enzo Maresca. The club’s academy has continued to develop talent, and a number of these promising players have joined the tour to Asia. While many may not immediately secure a spot in the first team for the upcoming season, the tour offers valuable exposure.
This approach aligns with the club’s history under former manager Pep Guardiola, who utilized pre-season tours to integrate young players into the senior squad. Players such as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, and O’Reilly have previously used these tours to make an impression on the manager. Maresca has expressed his desire to help players like Phil Foden return to their best form, noting his importance to the team.
The tour schedule includes a match against Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday, August 1. Subsequently, the team will travel to South Korea for games against the K-League All Stars on August 5 and Atletico Madrid on August 9. All three matches will be broadcast live globally for CITY+ subscribers.
Away from the pitch, director of football Hugo Viana is expected to address several squad issues before the Premier League campaign commences at home against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 23.
Source: mancity.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
