**Several members of Manchester City’s senior men’s team have participated in the final international break of 2025.**
During this period, some of the Sky Blues’ squad learned they may have opportunity to play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while others will miss out on the competition as some members enjoyed the break by competing in friendlies or taking a much-needed rest.
As with the previous international breaks this calendar year, the majority of Manchester City’s senior team participated in the European qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Following results, all of City’s European representatives learned their national teams either qualified directly for next summer’s prestigious competition, or that they will need to play additional games via the qualification play-offs.
In Group D, Rayan Cherki played for France as they faced Ukraine and Azerbaijan. The French outfit defeated the Ukrainians and Azerbaijanis in both matches, and those results meant that France won their group.
As a result, France have automatically qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meanwhile, group runners-up Ukraine will have a chance to still qualify for next summer’s competition by participating in the qualification play-offs in March.
Meanwhile, in Group F, Rúben Dias, Matheus Nunes, and Bernardo Silva participated in Portugal’s qualification matches against Ireland and Armenia. The Portuguese lost to the Irish in the first match, but earned a resounding victory over the Armenians meaning they have qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Group G, Nathan Aké and Tijjani Reijnders played for the Netherlands in games against Poland and Lithuania. The Dutch drew against the Poles in the first match, but defeated the Lithuanians in the second meaning they qualify directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Over in Group I, Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb played in World Cup qualification matches with Norway against Estonia and Italy, winning both 4-1. The results meant Norway qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking Haaland’s tally to 16 goals in eight matches.
Elsewhere in Group I, Gianluigi Donnarumma competed with Italy in their qualification matches against Moldova and Norway. The Italians defeated the Moldovans, but lost to the Norwegians, finishing second in their group with an opportunity to make the World Cup via the qualification play-offs.
In qualification playoff Path A, Italy will face Northern Ireland in the semi-final. Should the Italians win, they would face the winner of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Wales in the final. The winner of the play-offs then advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Group J, Jérémy Doku played with Belgium in qualification matches against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein, drawing the first and winning the second. The results meant that Belgium qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In Group K, Phil Foden, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly, and James Trafford all joined England for matches against Serbia and Albania. Having already secured qualification, the English had an opportunity to experiment with tactics and won both games 2-0.
Finally, in Group L, Joško Gvardiol joined Croatia in matches against the Faroe Islands and Montenegro. The Croatians won both, thus securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Outside of the UEFA qualifiers, members of City’s non-European contingent played with their national teams in a series of friendlies. In Africa, Omar Marmoush joined Egypt for international friendlies against Uzbekistan and Cape Verde. The Egyptians lost against the Uzbeks, but defeated Cape Verde on penalties.
Elsewhere, Rayan Aït-Nouri participated with Algeria in international friendlies against Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia. The Algerians won both, while Egypt and Algeria had already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hence why they played friendlies.
Elsewhere, Abdukodir Khusanov joined Uzbekistan for international friendlies against Egypt and Iran and won both.
Finally, a contingent of players did not travel for international duty; Rodri and Mateo Kovačić were injured and thus not selected to join their respective teams. Meanwhile, Stefan Ortega, Marcus Bettinelli, Kavin Phillips, Rico Lewis, Nico, and Savinho were not selected.