Hong Kong welcomes Manchester City for pre-season tour
City Arrive in Hong Kong
Manchester City has arrived in Hong Kong to begin their pre-season tour of Asia, under the management of Enzo Maresca. The team landed after a long flight from Manchester and immediately engaged in a stretching session that included group games. This marks the start of a three-match tour in the Far East, preparing for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The squad’s arrival in Hong Kong is the initial step in their preparations, with players focusing on recovering from the journey. They are expected to take to the pitch for training sessions in the coming days as they adjust to the local conditions.
Squad for the Asian Tour
Enzo Maresca has assembled a strong squad for the Asian tour, despite several players participating in the recent World Cup. While key players such as Rodri, Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, and new signing Elliot Anderson are not with the team due to their World Cup commitments, many mainstays from last season are present. This includes players like Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and Antoine Semenyo, who are believed to be part of the touring party.
Other notable players available for the tour include Gianluigi Donnarumma, Phil Foden, Nico Gonzalez, Marcus Bettinelli, Rico Lewis, and Savinho. Additionally, Abdukodir Khusanov, Matheus Nunes, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rayan Ait-Nouri are expected to join for at least part of the tour. Kalvin Phillips is also part of the squad, while a decision on Jack Grealish is pending as he continues his recovery from foot surgery in February.
The absence of some players is attributed to their participation in the World Cup, particularly those who reached the quarter-finals or later stages. However, players eliminated in the round of 16 are expected to join the camp at a later stage, though they were not part of the initial delegation from Manchester. Omar Marmoush is another player missing from the tour, as he was given a rest after his involvement with the Egyptian national team in the World Cup finals.
Upcoming Fixtures and Manager’s Outlook
The tour schedule features three friendly matches. Manchester City will first face Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday. Following this, the team will travel to South Korea for two more games. They are scheduled to play a K League All Stars side and then conclude their tour against Atletico Madrid in Seoul.
Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola this summer, has expressed his focus on working with the available squad. He has spoken about his desire to help players like Phil Foden return to their best form, noting their positive relationship from his time as Guardiola’s assistant. Maresca also commented on Jack Grealish‘s situation, stating that as a Manchester City player, it is his duty to coach him, and that he maintains a good relationship with the winger.
The club anticipates that Haaland, Rodri, Cherki, and the England players will rejoin the squad approximately three to four days before the Community Shield match against Arsenal in Cardiff on Sunday, August 16.
Away from the pitch, director of football Hugo Viana is expected to be active in resolving several issues before the Premier League campaign commences with a home match against Bournemouth on Sunday, August 23. One pressing matter involves Rodri, who is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid. The club is also targeting a right-back, a winger, and additional midfield reinforcements to address any potential departures.
The club’s new away kit is also set to be launched in Hong Kong later this week, adding another event to their schedule in the region.
The pre-season tour will begin with the match against Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday.
Source: mancity.com
Isla Hartley is a Sports Reporter at NewsUK. She covered the British summer of sport from Wimbledon to the Test grounds. She focuses on tennis, cricket and athletics and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. She holds a degree in Sports Studies from the University of Stirling and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Glasgow, she runs half-marathons and follows Scottish athletics. “The overlooked athlete usually has the better story.”
