In a move that has sent ripples through the football world, Jack Grealish, Manchester City’s £100 million star, is set to be left out of the club’s squad for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, a decision that signals the potential end of his four-year tenure at the Etihad Stadium. The 29-year-old winger, once a cornerstone of City’s historic 2022-23 treble-winning campaign, has seen his role diminish dramatically in recent seasons, sparking speculation about his next move. With the summer transfer window looming, Grealish’s omission from the 32-team tournament, running from June 14 to July 13, underscores a pivotal moment in his career as he fights to reclaim his form and secure a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup plans.
Grealish’s journey with Manchester City began with high expectations in 2021, when he arrived from Aston Villa for a British-record £100 million fee. His flair, creativity, and infectious personality made him a fan favorite, and his contributions during the 2022-23 season—when City clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League—cemented his place in club history. However, the past two seasons have been marked by frustration. In the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, Grealish started just seven matches, scoring only once and providing five assists across 32 appearances in all competitions. “Of course, Jack has to play,” manager Pep Guardiola said in May, acknowledging the winger’s need for regular minutes. “He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, with us or another place.”
The decision to exclude Grealish from the Club World Cup squad, as City prepares to face Moroccan side Wydad AC in Philadelphia on June 18, reflects a mutual understanding that a change may be in the best interest of both player and club. With a contract running until June 2027 and a reported £300,000-per-week wage, a permanent transfer could be complex, but a loan move is increasingly likely. “It’s a question for Jack, his agent, and the club,” Guardiola noted, emphasizing that the decision lies with Grealish and City’s directors of football, Txiki Begiristain and Hugo Viana. The club’s proactive transfer activity—securing a £46.3 million deal for AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders and pursuing Lyon’s Rayan Cherki and Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri—suggests a squad overhaul that may no longer include Grealish.
The winger’s limited game time has also impacted his international career. Once a regular for England, Grealish was left out of the Euro 2024 squad and has missed recent selections under new manager Thomas Tuchel. “As a headline, I love Jack,” Tuchel said, praising his courage and personality. “He’s not afraid of the Bernabéu whistles when he’s on the ball, it does not affect him and if it affects him only in the best way.” Yet, Tuchel acknowledged Grealish’s struggle with inconsistent minutes, noting, “I’m not a start-stop player. It is so hard for me to influence a match from the bench and then be on the bench again.” With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Grealish’s need for regular football is urgent, and clubs across the Premier League and Europe, including Napoli, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, are reportedly monitoring his situation.
Guardiola’s relationship with Grealish has been one of admiration but tough choices. “I’m the person who fought for Jack to come here, and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season,” he said, defending his decision to omit Grealish from City’s final 2024-25 Premier League match against Fulham, a 2-0 win that secured Champions League qualification. In the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, Guardiola opted to give a debut to 19-year-old Claudio Echeverri rather than turn to Grealish, a move that highlighted the winger’s fall down the pecking order. “It’s not personal,” Guardiola insisted. “I have 24 players, I have to get rid of six players for the last game.”
As Manchester City prepares for the Club World Cup, where they’ll face Juventus and Al Ain in the group stage, Grealish’s absence marks a turning point. His desire to “get his head down and fight” remains, but the consensus is that a fresh start elsewhere could reignite his career, much like Marcus Rashford’s loan spell at Aston Villa revitalized his England prospects. With interest from top clubs and a determination to return to Tuchel’s England squad, Grealish stands at a crossroads. The coming months will determine whether he can recapture the magic that made him a treble hero, or if his City chapter will close with a bittersweet farewell.
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