Manchester City players will start the Enzo Maresca era after the World Cup final, with pre-season training set to begin on Monday, July 20, the day after the tournament concludes in the United States. Maresca has already been working hard, but he will welcome his squad for the first time on that date.
Many of City's players are still involved in the World Cup or resting after their participation. Seventeen Blues represented their countries, with only Abdukodir Khusanov, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nathan Ake eliminated so far. FIFPro recommends at least four weeks off in summer, so most World Cup participants are unlikely to return by July 20.
However, players not at the World Cup, such as Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, and Rico Lewis, will report for duty, along with promising academy talents. Maresca is expected to take many young players on the summer tour to Asia, which includes three games in Hong Kong and South Korea at the end of July.
World Cup players will rejoin the squad as they rest up, with some possibly joining part of the tour. After returning, City will face Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff, followed by a Premier League opener at home against Bournemouth. This marks the first time in 10 years that City begin the league campaign at the Etihad, a match that also marked Pep Guardiola's debut with the club.
