Erling Haaland Sidelined for Club World Cup Final
Erling Haaland Sidelined for Club World Cup Final
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| Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on prior to the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 Semi Final match between Urawa Reds and Manchester City at King Abdullah Sports City on December 19, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.(Image-Getty) |
Contrary to expectations, Erling Haaland will not be participating in the Club World Cup final for Manchester City against Fluminense on Friday. This exclusion is a result of a FIFA rule, stating that players who missed the semi-final are ineligible to play in the final.
Haaland, along with teammates Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, will be spectators from the stands during the highly anticipated match. The Norwegian striker, known for his prolific goal-scoring abilities, has been sidelined due to a foot injury that has kept him out of action, causing him to miss recent games against Luton, Red Star Belgrade, and Crystal Palace.
Although Haaland has returned to training, the FIFA regulations prevent his participation in the final showdown. Despite his presence in Saudi Arabia with the rest of the squad, his absence from the matchday squad against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds further solidified the decision.
The 23-year-old striker, who has impressively scored 19 goals in 20 appearances in both the Premier League and the Champions League this season, was seen on the training ground just 48 hours before the final, indicating his eagerness to rejoin City's workouts. However, the strict adherence to FIFA rules will keep him out of the playing XI in the Club World Cup final.
Haaland's setback adds to the challenges faced by Manchester City, but the team remains focused and determined as they aim to secure victory against Fluminense. The confirmed squad for the final includes key players such as Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Kevin De Bruyne, and other notable contributors who will strive to bring success to the club in this prestigious tournament.
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