Guardiola not thinking about AFCON 2025 yet

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he is not pondering the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations yet, as the Citizens will likely be without Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush.

Both players are expected to join the Algeria and Egypt national sides during the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Guardiola chose to remain positive about the tournament as he avoided criticising the timing of the competition. “That is how it is. The schedule is what it is. They have this competition with their countries; they have to go.”

Marmoush has recently been on the bench, while Aït-Nouri is still regaining minutes after recovering from injury.

Guardiola added that he has not yet resolved the AFCON dilemma his side is going to face. “I always try to solve problems as they arise. For now, I am not thinking about it. I need to make the best use of them on Sunday, Wednesday, and next Sunday before the international break. When the time comes and they aren’t available, I will assess the situation and make the necessary decisions.”

The 2025 AFCON will kick off in Morocco in December.