An Unexpected Clash: FC Bayern vs Auckland City FC at the Club World Cup
Team Advances to World Cup Without a Seasoned Pro Footballer on the Roster
Football fans are in for a curious spectacle as the mighty FC Bayern Munich, one of the world's most successful and richest clubs, squares off against Auckland City FC, a fledgling New Zealand outfit with fewer resources and no professional players.
The Sales Manager Turned Footballer
Angus Kilkolly, Auckland City FC's sales manager, juggles his busy day job with his love for football. He plays for the club, participating in three to four training sessions a week, often without pay—a small allowance of €90 per week is his sole compensation. Now, he finds himself facing giants like Harry Kane, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé in the Club World Cup. "It's a dream," Kilkolly admitted, despite having to take unpaid leave for four weeks to travel with the team.
A Lifetime Opportunity
The opportunity to play against FC Bayern on Sunday (6 PM on Sat.1 and DAZN, with a live ticker on ntv.de) in Cincinnati is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Kilkolly and his teammates. "It's crazy to stand on the same field as these teams," he said, adding that the experience allows them to compete on a global stage and feel like professional footballers, even if they're not.
Two Worlds Collide
While FC Bayern boasts a squad value of €903 million, with Jamal Musiala listed as its most valuable player at €140 million, Auckland City FC, currently third in the Northern League, has a comparatively tiny value of €4.58 million and no player valued over €275,000 on transfermarkt.de.
At home, Auckland's modest stadium attracts 200 to 2,000 fans, a far cry from Bayern's throngs of 75,000 spectators at the Allianz Arena. Post-game, the team enjoys drinks in a cozy club room, creating a warm, family atmosphere far removed from the billion-dollar Club World Cup.
A Duel of Extremes
This clash between FC Bayern Munich and Auckland City FC promises to be a stark contrast of resources, talent, and expectations. Bayern is expected to dominate the match due to its financial might and formidable squad. Meanwhile, Auckland City FC seeks to use this opportunity for exposure and gain valuable experience on the global stage.
Source: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Club World Cup 2025
- FC Bayern Munich
- FIFA
- Football
Psst! Did you know?
- FC Bayern Munich: One of the most successful clubs in the world, known for its strong squad and financial resources. The club plays in the German Bundesliga and has a considerable following in Europe.
- Auckland City FC: A New Zealand-based club that competes in the New Zealand Football Championship and has represented Oceania in various international competitions, including the FIFA Club World Cup. The team's squad value is much lower than most clubs due to its smaller size and less prominent status.
- Player Earnings: Bayern's players are among the highest-paid in the sport, with top players earning millions of dollars annually. Auckland City FC players, on the other hand, likely earn modest salaries, often supplemented by part-time or amateur work.
- Competitive Expectations: Bayern is expected to advance far in the competition due to its strong squad and experience in major tournaments. Auckland City FC, however, views its participation in the Club World Cup as a learning opportunity, with advancing past the early rounds being a significant achievement.
- The community policy of Auckland City FC will need to accommodate the sales manager, Angus Kilkolly, who is taking unpaid leave to play in the Club World Cup against FC Bayern Munich.
- Despite the employment policy of Auckland City FC not offering significant compensation, their football team will be competing against European powerhouses like FC Bayern Munich in the Champions League and other European leagues.
