Auckland City FC's Remarkable Run at the Club World Cup: Amateurs vs. Professionals
World Cup-bound club lacks a seasoned footballer in its roster.
Get ready for a clash of titans! Auckland City FC, a small, amateur New Zealand club, is about to take on the mighty FC Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup. This underdog story is a testament to their domestic dominance and the spirited camaraderie that binds them, even as they square off against top-tier professional teams.
The 13-time Oceanian Champions League winners, Auckland City FC, are no strangers to the Club World Cup, having participated an impressive 12 times, with 2025 marking their 13th appearance [1][2]. This year's tournament, featuring a new 32-team format, pits them against European, South American, and Portuguese powerhouses such as Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, and Benfica [4][5].
Angus Kilkolly, a sales manager and amateur footballer for Auckland City FC, shared his excitement about the upcoming duel against Bayern, expressing, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Standing on the same pitch as these teams is crazy." Despite having to take unpaid leave for the tournament, he and his colleagues are willing to make sacrifices for this global stage, echoing Ilich's sentiments of embracing the challenge [4].
The contrast between Auckland City FC and Bayern Munich couldn't be starker. While Bayern's squad is worth a staggering 903 million euros, with Jamal Musiala being the most expensive player at 140 million, Auckland's amateurs, currently third in the Northern League andworth just 4.58 million, have no player worth more than 275,000 euros [5].
In the face of such adversity, Auckland City FC has shown remarkable resilience and a deep connection with their local community. Preparing for the competition, they held a training camp in the United States, engaged in a friendly match against Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union, and played a final warm-up against Asian champions Al Ain, demonstrating steady progress [3][4].
As the clock winds down for their historic encounter, Auckland City FC, the small, amateur club, is ready to face the professional juggernaut, FC Bayern Munich, on Sunday, with a dream, a smile, and the spirit of the underdog burning brightly within them [4].
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Club World Cup 2025
- FC Bayern Munich
- Fifa
- Football
[1] https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/auckland-city-fc-wins-champions-league-for-13th-time/[2] https://www.o-leaga.com/oceania-champions-league-list-of-winners/[3] https://www.espn.com/soccer/club-world-cup/story/4510545/auckland-city-take-on-philadelphia-union-in-warmup-for-club-world-cup[4] https://www.nationalgeographic.com/sports/2023/12/auckland-city-fc-amateur-soccer-team-qualifies-for-club-world-cup/[5] https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/auckland-city-fc/spieler/verein/17719
The 13-time Oceanian Champions League winners, Auckland City FC, will test their mettle against European powerhouses like FC Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup. Despite being amateurs and having a squad worth significantly less than their professional counterparts, Auckland City FC demonstrates a profound connection with their local community, as evidenced by their training camps, friendly matches, and warm-ups.
Community and team spirit are integral parts of Auckland City FC's emotional preparation for the historic encounter against Bayern Munich, reminiscent of their role as underdogs both on and off the field, echoing the exciting blend of sports, such as football, and global competition found in European leagues and tournaments, like the Champions League.
