Guardiola relishing chance to compete in revamped Club World Cup

Speaking to FIFA, the City manager described his team as "fortunate" to be involved in the expanded 32-team competition, which offers them an opportunity to cap their 2023/24 campaign with silverware.

"It's an honour. It means we are lucky, because last season we performed very well in the Champions League and the domestic league," Guardiola said. "It's a new tournament and I'm eager to play in it."

Despite the allure of adding another trophy to City's cabinet, Guardiola was quick to downplay expectations, stressing development and performance over results.

"It would be nice to win the tournament, of course – we can't deny that – but there are 31 other clubs who want the same. We'll see how we finish the season, how we arrive together at the tournament, and then we'll see what happens," he added.

The Spaniard also shared insight into his coaching philosophy, insisting he never enters a competition with the sole focus of lifting the trophy.

"When I start a tournament, like the Premier League, I never think: 'We're going to win it, we must win it'. It's always step by step. Let's just get there and aim to play better than we did this season. Hopefully, we'll be in even better shape."

Guardiola went on to express his admiration for American sport, highlighting two legendary figures as personal inspirations.

"I'd say Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods – two icons who changed sport globally," he said. "I think Michael Jordan made basketball better, and of course, Tiger's impact on golf was enormous."

The expanded Club World Cup, set to debut in the United States, is scheduled for summer 2025 and promises to offer a unique test of Guardiola's City against elite clubs from across the globe.