Pep Guardiola has dismissed the latest controversy surrounding Jack Grealish’s lifestyle while acknowledging his disappointment over the England international’s challenging season. However, the Manchester City manager remains uncertain about Grealish’s future beyond this campaign.

Grealish, 29, was recently spotted at a social club in the North East just a day after City’s FA Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle. The sighting reignited discussions about his off-field activities. But when asked about the incident, Guardiola refused to be drawn into the debate.

“He’s a public figure, people follow him. I have nothing to say,” Guardiola stated. “A day off is a day off. There’s no training. The players know what’s expected of them, but their private lives are theirs. I evaluate them based on training and their performances on the pitch.”

Despite defending Grealish’s personal choices, Guardiola has been selective in his use of the winger, handing him only six Premier League starts this season. He explained: “I want Jack performing at his highest level, but injuries have held him back. He hasn’t been able to find the rhythm needed to be match-ready every three days.”

Grealish delivered an impressive performance against Plymouth, and Guardiola hopes for greater consistency moving forward. However, when reminded that Grealish’s best league performance of the 2024/25 season came in City’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in December, Guardiola simply remarked, “That was a long time ago.”

As City prepares to face third-placed Forest, Grealish is unlikely to start, with Jeremy Doku preferred on the left wing. Meanwhile, England manager Thomas Tuchel will soon announce his first squad, and Grealish’s limited game time may put his spot at risk for the upcoming international qualifiers and next year’s World Cup.

Speculation is growing that Grealish’s frustration over a lack of minutes could lead him to consider an exit from the Etihad. Addressing the rumors, Guardiola said: “I understand the frustrations of my players. It’s natural to dream of playing in the World Cup or European Championships. What matters most right now is our fight for key trophies. Decisions on the future will be made at the end of the season.”

With Guardiola confirming that Grealish is fit and available for selection, the winger remains an option for the clash at the City Ground. However, Guardiola is expected to favor Doku in the starting lineup.

In other team news, City will be without Nathan Ake for up to three months following foot surgery, adding to their defensive concerns as the season progresses

President Donald Trump has announced the formation of a specialized task force dedicated to preparing for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across North America. This newly established committee will be responsible for managing logistics and security throughout the tournament, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“I believe it will add to the excitement,” Trump stated when discussing the tournament’s backdrop of ongoing trade tensions between the host nations. With fluctuating tariffs and strong political discourse shaping international relations, he added, “Tension can be a positive thing.”

As the chair of the task force, Trump will oversee the federal government’s role in the event’s security and overall planning. Vice President JD Vance will serve as vice chair, ensuring smooth coordination between agencies.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined Trump for the announcement, bringing along the prestigious World Cup trophy.

Preparations are in full swing across all three host nations, despite the economic uncertainties fueled by Trump’s repeated threats of imposing tariffs, which have created waves in global markets. The U.S. president has also made controversial remarks about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and even hinted at Canada integrating into the U.S., which has sparked strong nationalistic sentiments among Canadians.

Infantino emphasized the task force’s mission to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for global visitors, ensuring they feel “safe, happy, and part of something truly special.”

“Our goal is to deliver the greatest show on Earth,” Infantino remarked. During the event, he presented Trump with a personalized soccer ball and introduced the elaborate trophy set to be awarded to the winner of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a precursor to the grand international tournament in 2026.

The World Cup matches will be spread across 16 cities in North America over the span of a month.

In the U.S., 11 cities will play host, including Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Toronto and Vancouver will represent Canada, while Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey have been selected as Mexico’s host cities.

During a meeting with FIFA officials on Friday, Trump expressed his enthusiasm for the event.

“This is a tremendous honor for our country,” he told reporters, further sharing his plans to attend multiple matches.

Sources close to CBS News Philadelphia confirmed that the city is moving forward with its existing plans for hosting. Earlier this week, Philadelphia Soccer 2026 unveiled its official FIFA World Cup poster, marking another milestone in preparations for the tournament

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a frustrating defeat in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie, falling 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. A costly first-half own goal proved decisive as Spurs struggled to break down their Dutch opponents.

Captain Son Heung-min endured a disappointing night, playing 72 minutes without making a significant impact. The South Korean forward managed three attempts but failed to hit the target before being replaced by Dominic Solanke.

The decisive moment came in the 18th minute when Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net, handing Alkmaar the lead. Despite pushing for an equalizer, Spurs couldn’t find a breakthrough and now face an uphill battle in the return leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Thursday.

Tottenham, who haven’t lifted a major trophy since their English Football League Cup triumph in the 2007-08 season, are desperate to keep their European hopes alive. Their domestic struggles have compounded their woes, as they sit 13th in the Premier League and have already exited both the FA Cup and League Cup this season.

After the match, Son acknowledged the team’s poor performance, admitting they fell well short of expectations.

“It’s incredibly disappointing, and I include myself in that,” he told TNT Sports. “This is a wake-up call because next week is the biggest game of our season. We lacked creativity in the first half, played carelessly, and didn’t perform the way we should have. No excuses—we simply weren’t good enough. But it’s just 1-0, and we still have a chance. Next week, we must be much better.”

With their European campaign hanging in the balance, Tottenham will need a vastly improved display in front of their home crowd to overturn the deficit and keep their trophy ambitions alive.