The Premier League's traditional curtain raiser rolls around once again this Sunday when reigning champions Manchester City take on Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea at Wembley, with both sides battling for the Community Shield.
Of course, the World Cup has resulted in a number of each club's star players being granted extended holiday, meaning they have arrived back for duty a bit later than usual.
As a result of that, both Sarri and Pep Guardiola have deployed teams mainly consisting of youth players throughout pre-season, although a few first team stars will be available for selection for Sunday's clash.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the Citizens' potential lineup...
1. GK: Claudio Bravo
With Joe Hart heading for the Etihad exit door and Ederson only just returning to training, Guardiola is expected to stick with Claudio Bravo in goal to face Chelsea this Sunday.
The Chilean is error prone, as we all know, but performed admirably as City won the Carabao Cup last season as he somewhat redeemed himself in a sky blue shirt.
His inclusion at Wembley ahead of Ederson, who is still in need of match fitness having played understudy to Alisson in Russia, should pose no objections.
2. RB: Jason Denayer
The Belgian international is expected to start at right back in the absence of Kyle Walker, who has only just returned to training after England's fourth placed finish at the World Cup.
Denayer missed out on appearing at the World Cup himself after Roberto Martinez decided not to call him up.
As a result of that, the former Celtic man has picked up a lot of game time throughout pre-season and is best placed to start the showpiece event ahead of other youthful candidates.
3. LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko
The Ukrainian full back impressed in a left wing back role at times last season, and his country's inability to qualify for the World Cup has seen him stake a claim for a starting XI spot throughout pre season.
In the absence of World Cup winner Benjamin Mendy, who is fit again but in need of game time, Zinchenko is expected to continue on the left hand side of defence against Chelsea.
4. CB: Nicolas Otamendi
The Argentina international is available for selection having returned to the club a few weeks ago, after La Albiceleste's World Cup exit at the Round of 16 stage.
Otamendi's return will be a welcome one for Guardiola, and will allow the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach to implement some experience in what is expected to be a fairly youthful looking City squad.
5. CB: Aymeric Laporte
Laporte has been a frequent figure in Guardiola's pre-season plans after failing to make the France squad for the World Cup.
Whilst that may have disappointed the former Athletic Bilbao defender, it will at least mean that the 24-year-old is fit and ready to start his first full season in England.
Laporte, who didn't make it onto the pitch when City last visited Wembley in the Carabao Cup final, should make his first appearance at the national stadium this Sunday from the beginning.
6. CM: David Silva
Like Otamendi and Argentina, Spain's exit at the round of 16 stage means David Silva should be available to start against Chelsea as the Citizens battle for the first silverware of the season.
Silva's experience and know how will be vital if City are to get one over on the Blues at Wembley, especially with a handful of young players being heavily involved in Guardiola's matchday squad.
7. CM: Phil Foden
Arguably City's best youth prospect, Phil Foden is likely to be given a chance to show the country what he can do from the first whistle this Sunday.
Foden has impressed at youth level for City in recent years and even won the Golden Ball at the U17 World Cup with England last year; he has been tipped for big things and should achieve them under Guardiola's tutelage.
Additionally, playing alongside Silva should ease him into what is perhaps the biggest game of his senior career.
8. CM: Ilkay Gundogan
The German international returned to Manchester early than he perhaps would've expected after his country's dismal World Cup showing, but Guardiola won't be complaining.
Gundogan's inclusion from the start at Wembley this Sunday is very likely, given the limited amount of first team players Guardiola has at his disposal currently.
However, the former Borussia Dortmund man did not feature much in Russia and may be in need of game time, so don't be alarmed if he seems rusty out on that hallowed turf.
9. RW: Riyad Mahrez
Manchester City's £60m man was one of few first teamers to play a significant role in pre-season for Guardiola, and up until last week, his inclusion in the curtain raiser was a given.
However, an ankle injury picked up against Bayern Munich looked to have ruled him out of the game against Chelsea, but City doctors confirmed his return to training earlier this week.
Should he have trained well, Mahrez is highly likely to feature from the start this Sunday.
10. LW: Leroy Sane
Like Mahrez, Leroy Sane played a significant role in pre-season after his shock exclusion from Joachim Low's World Cup squad, but Germany's loss is City's gain.
Guardiola has had the pleasure of working with the PFA Young Player of the Year for the majority of the summer.
Given the fact that the German is arguably the freshest player in his squad at the moment, Sane is expected to be City's leading light as the attempt to win the Community Shield once again.
11. ST: Sergio Aguero
Argentina's Round of 16 exit at the World Cup saw Sergio Aguero return to Manchester earlier than he would've liked. However, having sat on Jorge Sampaoli's substitutes bench for most of the tournament, the former Atletico Madrid man must be raring to go.
Aguero and Gabriel Jesus have both returned to training, but given the fact that Aguero returned earlier and is perhaps fresher than the Brazilian, Guardiola may choose to start with his trusty number 10.