Two matches in the early hours of Sunday stand out: Uzbekistan vs DR Congo and Algeria vs Austria.
Those results are among the few realistic opportunities for City players to be eliminated before the knockout phase. An early exit would not guarantee an immediate return to Manchester, but it would give Maresca a clearer route to rebuilding his squad.
The first knockout matches begin only four weeks before City’s trip to Hong Kong. The last-16 ties start a week later, meaning players who progress beyond the opening knockout round could have almost no practical chance of joining the tour while taking a full break.
FIFPro recommends four weeks of summer rest, placing the club between two competing priorities: preparing for a new managerial era and protecting players after an international tournament.
If the group-stage results do not reduce the numbers, between 13 and 17 City players could remain unavailable for the opening phase of pre-season. That would affect training quality, tactical work and the manager’s ability to assess his preferred starting structure.
Maresca is expected to need time to introduce his methods, but the World Cup schedule may force him to rely on fringe players and academy members during the Hong Kong trip. The absence of the main group would also limit the value of pre-season matches as preparation for the competitive campaign.
Sunday’s fixtures are therefore more than routine group games. They could shape when Khusanov, Ait-Nouri and much of City’s squad are able to begin the next chapter under Maresca.