The 2026–27 season is the 132nd season in the existence of Manchester City Football Club and their 25th consecutive season in the top flight of England football. In addition to the domestic league, Manchester City is also participating in the FA Cup, EFL Cup, FA Community Shield and UEFA Champions League, entering the latter for the 16th consecutive season.
This is the club's first season since 2015–16 without Pep Guardiola as manager following his resignation at the conclusion of the previous campaign. He was replaced with Enzo Maresca in June 2026. It is also the first season since 2015–16 not to feature John Stones, the first since 2016–17 not to feature Bernardo Silva, and the first since 2018–19 not to feature Rodri, who all departed that summer.
City were beaten 3–0 by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on 16 August, but went onto record five straight wins in the league to begin the season.
In September 2026, it was announced that the club had been found guilty of all charges related to breaching the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
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Season summary Pre-season Manchester City began their preparations for the 2026–27 campaign with the appointment of Enzo Maresca as manager on 29 June 2026, succeeding Pep Guardiola following his departure at the end of the previous season. Maresca's arrival marked the beginning of a transitional summer, with the club expected to reshape key areas of the squad after the exits of long-serving players John Stones and Bernardo Silva.
City's pre-season planning was shaped significantly by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a large portion of the first-team squad involved in the knockout stages of the tournament, including key figures such as Erling Haaland, Rodri and Jérémy Doku; resulting in staggered returns to training and a reduced senior group available for the opening weeks of pre-season. In all, six first team players remained in competition with England, Spain and France in the final week of competition.
Transfer activity during June and early July focused on reinforcing the defensive line and adding depth in midfield, with City linked to multiple right-backs and a progressive midfielder suited to Maresca's possession-focused approach. The club also monitored potential additions in wide attacking positions, aiming to increase flexibility across the forward line.
A major development in early July was the imminent signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, with reports indicating that City had agreed a club-record fee of £116 million for the midfielder as part of Maresca's restructuring of the squad. The club later confirmed the transfer was agreed, and formalities were completed when the player returned from his World Cup duties on 23 July.
Following his Golden Ball-winning performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he'd captained Spain to their second title, Rodri was widely linked with a return to La Liga during the summer transfer window. Reports in Spanish and English media suggested interest from both Real Madrid and Barcelona, with negotiations involving Madrid reportedly stalling in late July before Barcelona intensified their pursuit. Manchester City maintained that Rodri was not for sale, though several outlets claimed the club might consider a transfer in the final year of his contract, with figures between £60m and €75m mentioned. Barcelona were also reported to have agreed personal terms with the player, while Real Madrid explored reviving their interest. The deal with Barcelona was eventually concluded on 18 August for a reported fee of around £65 million.
Start of season Manchester City began the season with a 3–0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield at the Principality Stadium, marking Enzo Maresca's first competitive match in charge. Arsenal struck inside 23 seconds through Riccardo Calafiori before Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a header midway through the first half. Martin Ødegaard added a third shortly after the interval, finishing a move created by Christos Tzolis, who impressed with two assists. City created chances through Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo but were unable to beat David Raya, suffering their heaviest Community Shield loss since losing by the same score-line to Arsenal in 2014.
As the 2026 summer transfer window moved into its final days, Manchester City oversaw a significant reshaping of the squad with several senior departures and targeted reinforcements. Winger Savinho completed a club-record move to Tottenham Hotspur, while midfielder Tijjani Reijnders left for Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah after just one season in Manchester.
Forward Omar Marmoush also moved towards the exit, with a loan deal agreed for him to join Tottenham as part of the London club’s late-window attacking rebuild. Meanwhile, midfielder Nico González was made available for transfer and subsequently departed for Newcastle as City continued their broader midfield restructuring.
City simultaneously strengthened key areas of the squad. Teenage central midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi arrived from Lille in a major deal reflecting the club’s long-term recruitment strategy, while World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernández joined from Chelsea on a record breaking fee, in one of the window’s most notable Premier League transfers; adding immediate quality and depth to Enzo Maresca’s central options. The club also secured the signing of Brazilian winger Allan from Palmeiras, viewed as a versatile addition capable of operating both as a winger and attacking wing back; and Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye from Everton to add further quality in wide areas. Jack Grealish left on loan to Everton for the second consecutive season for the final year of his City contract.
City started their season strongly, maintaining a 100% winning record in five league fixtures and their opening matches in both the EFL Cup and UEFA Champions League by the time of the international break at the end of September. This run placed them top of the early Premier League table, three points clear of Arsenal.
Decision of the independent commission into financial irregularities In late September 2026, multiple reports revealed Manchester City had been found guilty of 114 charges related to breaching the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009 to 2018. An independent commission concluded the club did not accurately report its finances - including by inflating sponsorship contracts to disguise owner funding - improperly structured or insufficiently disclosed manager and player remuneration figures, such as those related to image‑rights payments, and failed to co-operate with League's investigation or comply with UEFA's financial regulations over a prolonged period.
In a statement, Manchester City reiterated that the process "remains ongoing" and confirmed their intention to appeal.
First-team squad
As of 2 September 2026 No. Player Position Nationality Date of birth (age) Signed from Date signed Fee Contract end Goalkeepers 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma (VC) GK Paris Saint-Germain 2 September 2025 £26.0m 2030 13 Marcus Bettinelli GK Chelsea 10 June 2025 Free transfer 2027 28 Gerónimo Rulli GK Marseille 12 August 2026 £1.7m 2028 Defenders 3 Rúben Dias (C) CB Benfica 29 September 2020 £62.0m 2029 6 Marc Guéhi (VC) CB Crystal Palace 19 January 2026 £20.0m 2031 21 Rayan Aït-Nouri LB Wolverhampton Wanderers 9 June 2025 £31.3m 2030 22 Vitor Reis CB / RB Palmeiras 21 January 2025 £29.6m 2029 24 Joško Gvardiol CB / LB RB Leipzig 5 August 2023 £77.5m 2031 27 Matheus Nunes RB / CM Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 September 2023 £53.0m 2028 45 Abdukodir Khusanov CB / RB Lens 20 January 2025 £33.6m 2031 61 Kaden Braithwaite CB Academy 12 August 2025 2030 82 Rico Lewis RB / CM Academy 1 July 2022 2030 Midfielders 5 Elliot Anderson CM / DM Nottingham Forest 23 July 2026 £116.0m 2031 8 Mateo Kovačić CM / DM Chelsea 27 June 2023 £25.0m 2027 10 Rayan Cherki AM / RW Lyon 10 June 2025 £30.5m 2030 17 Enzo Fernández AM / CM / DM Chelsea 1 September 2026 £125.0m 2031 32 Ayyoub Bouaddi CM / DM Lille 26 August 2026 £85.6m 2031 33 Nico O'Reilly CM / LB / AM Academy 1 July 2022 2030 47 Phil Foden AM / LW / RW Academy 1 July 2017 2030 Forwards 7 Iliman Ndiaye LW / RW Everton 1 September 2026 £65.0m 2031 9 Erling Haaland (VC) ST Borussia Dortmund 1 July 2022 £51.2m 2034 11 Jérémy Doku LW / RW Rennes 24 August 2023 £55.5m 2031 37 Allan RW / RB Palmeiras 31 August 2026 £32.0m 2031 42 Antoine Semenyo LW / RW Bournemouth 9 January 2026 £64.0m 2031 56 Ryan McAidoo RW Academy 12 August 2025 2030 75 Floyd Samba AM / ST Academy 14 August 2026 2031
Transfers and contracts Transfers in DatePos.No.PlayerFromFeeRef. 27 June 2026 LW — Mathys Detourbet Troyes £21,700,000 10 July 2026 GK — Pierce Charles Sheffield Wednesday £3,000,000 11 July 2026 LW 40 Jeremy Monga Leicester City £10,000,000 23 July 2026 CM 5 Elliot Anderson Nottingham Forest £116,000,000 12 August 2026 GK 28 Geronimo Rulli Marseille £1,700,000 26 August 2026CM32 Ayyoub Bouaddi Lille£81,400,00031 August 2026RW37 Allan Palmeiras£32,000,0001 September 2026RW7 Iliman NdiayeEverton£60,000,0001 September 2026CM17 Enzo FernándezChelsea£125,000,000 Total £450,800,000
Transfers out DatePos.No.PlayerToFeeRef. First team1 July 2026CB25 Manuel Akanji Inter Milan£13,000,000 3 July 2026 CB 6 Nathan Aké Fenerbahçe £7,000,000 6 August 2026GK1 James TraffordLeeds United£45,000,00018 August 2026CDM16 Rodri Barcelona£65,400,000 19 August 2026 CM 4 Tijjani Reijnders Al-Qadsiah £52,000,000 25 August 2026RW26 Savinho Tottenham Hotspur£75,000,000 26 August 2026 CDM 14 Nico González Newcastle United £48,000,000 Academy 1 July 2026 CB 66 Jahmai Simpson-Pusey 1. FC Köln £4,650,000 2 July 2026 CB 51 Isaac Smith Barnsley Undisclosed 7 July 2026 LB 74 Tomas Galvez Go Ahead Eagles £427,000 17 July 2026 FW 92 Reigan Heskey 1. FC Köln £2,100,000 21 July 2026 FW 98 Matty Warhurst Northampton Town Undisclosed 29 July 2026 FW 73 Joel Ndala Cercle Brugge £2,500,000 14 August 2026CB94 Finley BurnsWigan AthleticUndisclosed27 August 2026RB78 Issa Kaboré Wrexham£4,750,0006 September 2026FW71 Mahamadou Sangaré Al-Qadsiah Undisclosed Total £319,400,000
Loaned out DatePos.No.PlayerLoaned toOn loan untilRef. First team 10 July 2026 GK — Pierce Charles Queens Park Rangers End of season 11 July 2026 CM 41 Sverre Nypan Lommel 11 August 2026 CM 44 Kalvin Phillips Sheffield United 14 August 2026 CB 68 Max Alleyne Burnley 27 August 2026 CF 7 Omar Marmoush Tottenham Hotspur 1 September 2026 MF 18 Jack Grealish Everton 1 September 2026LW40 Jeremy Monga Swansea City 2 September 2026 MF 30 Claudio Echeverri Benfica Academy 1 July 2026 GK 72 Oliver Whatmuff Stockport County End of season 2 July 2026 LW — Mathys Detourbet Monaco 21 July 2026 GK 80 Spike Brits Sutton United 29 July 2026 LB 46 Christian McFarlane Leicester City 1 August 2026 CDM 64 Isaiah Dada-Mascoll Lommel GK 84 Jack Wint Kidderminster Harriers 11 August 2026 CF 67 Divin Mubama Southampton 14 August 2026FW99 Emilio LawrenceLuton Town 14 August 2026 WB 95 Lakyle Samuel Exeter City 20 August 2026 CDM 59 Charlie Gray Wigan Athletic 21 August 2026 CAM 63 Divine Mukasa West Ham United 30 August 2026 CB 91 Stephen Mfuni Coventry City 1 September 2026 CM 81 Jaden Heskey Sheffield Wednesday 1 September 2026 CB Juma Bah FC Augsburg
Released DatePos.No.PlayerSubsequent clubJoined dateRef. First team 30 June 2026 AM 20 Bernardo Silva Real Madrid 1 July 2026 CB 5 John Stones Inter Milan 30 July 2026 Academy 30 June 2026 RB 53 Ezra Carrington Everton 2 September 2026 LW 62 Ashton Muir 5 September 2026 CB 79 Luke Mbete
New contracts