Auckland City striker Angus Kilkolly and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane will play in the same group at the Club World Cup. Photo: Photosport/AFP
A "bunch of amateurs from New Zealand" will live out their football dreams at the Club World Cup.
Auckland City are the only amateur side to qualify for the expanded 32-team tournament in the USA, starting on 15 June.
Auckland have represented Oceania 11 times at the Club World Cup with a best result of a third place in 2014.
But this year is different.
This year Auckland City have been drawn in the same group as six-time European champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese heavyweights Benfica and Argentina's Boca Juniors.
Auckland's high profile opponents have brought a lot of attention to what the club are trying to accomplish, striker Angus Kilkolly said.
"But at the same time, we're still a bunch of amateurs from New Zealand who dream of playing football on the world stage, and then go there and do the best we can."
Playing the global game
Auckland City, a club established just 21 years ago, may lack the history of some clubs at the tournament and operate with a smaller budget without the same state-of-the-art facilities of powerhouse professional sides, but the Club World Cup could be the "peak" of some players' careers and is an opportunity for the club to reach new audiences.
When the draw for the tournament was made in late 2024 Auckland City general manager Gordon Watson said the club's story "resonates not just with football fans but with people from all walks of life".
"Representing Mount Roskill, Mount Albert, Sandringham, and all corners of our domestic football pyramid-including the wider Pacific region-is both a privilege and a responsibility," Watson said.
Angus Kilkolly of Auckland City FC celebrates his goal with Nathan Lobo. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
This tournament will be the fifth time that Kilkolly has played a Club World Cup, once previously with Team Wellington and the rest with Auckland.
To be drawn in Group C "was probably what we all kind of dreamed about", Kilkolly said.
"No matter who we got drawn against we would have been underdogs regardless. So I'd rather be an underdog against some of the powerhouses of European football and South American football.
"For us to be drawn against some household names and playing against some household sort of players, in a sense, I don't think we could have wanted anything different, really."
Kilkolly has nothing but good memories from playing football in different parts of the world with Auckland City since he joined the club in 2020, and he recognised what this type of tournament could do for his team mates and him.
"We've got some young boys who are obviously hoping to go and have careers in pro football so this is a great opportunity for them to test themselves and see if they're at that level, or how far away they are from that level.
"We've got other players, probably the bracket I'm more in, who have been to a few Club World Cups this is probably the peak of our careers.
"I think we're going there a little bit naive and going there for dream and a bit of a hope that we can come back with our own special story."
What makes this tournament different
By expanding the Club World Cup, FIFA has changed the way it is run.
The format mirrors a 32-team international World Cup.
Eight groups of four teams in each.
The top two teams from each group will make it through the last 16, while the bottom two teams in each group will be eliminated.
Cross over games will happen with the last 16, with the winners of those games moving on to the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
"Normally would go to a tournament that has seven teams" Kikolly said, "Would play a one off game. If we win, we play another one. If we lose, we come back.
"The difference with this one is we get a group stage. We know we've got guaranteed of three games in the tournament.
"A big positive for us is sometimes these previous Club World Cup games, we maybe took 30 minutes to get up to the speed, because the speed is a completely different level to what we used to. So to have three games, it gives us an opportunity to really get to our peak and show what we are capable of."
More games also meant more opportunities for playing minutes for the wider squad.
"Normally it's a one off game you might only have the starting 11 and three or four subs, so there definitely is spots up for grabs in every game, and with tournament football I don't know if anyone's really fit enough to play back to back 90s the whole way through."
When Auckland City arrive in USA they will have a training camp, play some friendly games against Philadelphia Union before facing UAE giants Al Ain FC, and then a week later go into the FIFA bubble.
"We're giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over there early, get climatised, play against some good opposition, so when that first game does come around, it's not as big of a jump as it would be going straight from New Zealand to there."
Player welfare
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane. Photo: INA FASSBENDER
Several European players and coaches have raised concerns over player welfare with the revamped Club World Cup meaning less time off between seasons.
Bayern Munich's striker and England captain Harry Kane was vocal about the increased games and shorter rest periods.
"I don't think the players are listened to that much, if I'm totally honest. But also everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players are kind of the people who have to get on with it," Kane said.
"But it is what it is. I love playing football, so I'm never going to complain about playing football. I think if you manage it well, with your coaches and your manager and your clubs, there are ways of getting more rest in certain moments.
"But it's not an easy question, it's not an easy situation. I think there could be a balance from both sides, but we'd have to see how that pans out."
The Professional Footballers' Association has also taken legal action against FIFA, calling the football calendar "overloaded and unmanageable."
According to FIFPRO, the global union for professional players, Club World Cup-bound players are among the most overworked for the 2024/25 season already, with Benfica's Kerem Akturkoglu making the most appearances (55) followed by the likes of Real Madrid's Luka Modric (54); Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez and Real's Federico Valverde are among players on 53 appearances up until 1 April.
It is estimated that Uruguayan Valverde, who has made 43 back-to-back appearances up until 1 April with less than five days of recovery time prior to these matches, could potentially reach 65 back-to-back appearances for club and country come the end of the season, racking up close to 7000 minutes and 78 games.
Auckland City play in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League.
Auckland City FC captain Mario Ilich celebrates with trophy and team. Birkenhead United FC v Auckland City FC, Men’s National League Football final at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The build-up to the Club World Cup has included 19 matches across three competitions since March.
"Our schedules are hectic for an amateur team that everyone works sort of 40 hours a week to be playing 45 games. That definitely takes its toll and it is a big sacrifice being made by everyone to keep giving the club success," Kilkolly said.
Auckland will take a squad of up to 27 players to the USA. Before they left for the tournament on 2 June, they played a Northern League game against West Coast Rangers on the May 30 and a Chatham Cup game against Onehunga Mangere United the following day.
Kilkolly could see the benefit of two games in three days before travelling across the world.
"When there is a lot of games in a short period of time, it does make it easier to make sure everyone is match fit, because everyone wants to be going to America fully fit, fully ready to play and contribute as much as they can to the team."
Auckland City captain and defender Mario Ilich made his debut in 2012 and has been a stalwart of the defence ever since, playing 161 matches and even scoring 13 goals.
A typical day in his life reflects the balance Auckland players need to find to keep playing.
"Wake up at 5am, gym, breakfast, then off to work by 7.30, finish by 5, straight to training for two hours, home by 8.30 or 9, dinner, and then do it all again."
Similar to Kane, Auckland players also give up time off (annual leave) to attend to the Club World Cup.
"For a lot of us our workplaces understand the enormity of what we're going to do. My manager loves football, so he understands it's an awesome experience for me," Kilkolly said.
"On the downside of it, I won't have any annual leave left when I get back. There won't be any other trips coming up anytime soon."
Auckland City's opposition
Bayern Munich - The most successful club in German football history celebrated the first of their 34 league titles in 1932. Bayern won 11 consecutive league titles between 2013 and 2023 and won the latest season 2024/25. The club has also had success outside Germany with six UEFA Champions League titles (previously the European Cup), two Intercontinental Cups and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies. Bayern won the Club World Cup for the first time in 2013 and again in 2021.
Notable players include England captain centre forward Harry Kane, German midfielders Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich, French winger Michael Olise and Canadian left back Alphonso Davies who is currently injured.
German forward Leroy Sané could be gone by the time the Club World Cup starts and former German international striker and club legend Thomas Müller is leaving at season's end which might mean he doesn't play in the Club World Cup.
SL Benfica players Photo: VALTER GOUVEIA
Benfica - The club from Lisbon has more than 120 years of history and has spent 91 years in Portugal's top flight competition. The club is celebrated for historic European Cup victories and a world-class academy. Benfica won the Portuguese League Cup for the eighth time in the 2024/25 season and finished second in the premier competition.
Notable players include Spanish midfielder Álvaro Carreras, Portugal centre back António Silva and Greek centre forward Vangelis Pavlidis.
Boca Juniors' midfielder #22 Kevin Zenon Photo: ALEJANDRO PAGNI
Boca Juniors - One of South America's most decorated clubs was formed in 1905 and has gone on to be one of the most successful clubs in the world. The Argentinian powerhouse has 18 international titles and 52 domestic crowns including six Copa Libertadores title. Often associated with Diego Maradona and a fervent fanbase.
Notable players include winger Kevin Zenón, Uruguay forward Miguel Merentiel and left back Lautaro Blanco
The rest
Europe: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Inter Milan, FC Porto, FC Salzburg.
South America: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, River Plate, Botafogo.
North and Central America and the Caribbean: Pachuca, Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC
Africa: Al Ahly, Wydad, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns
Asia: Al Hilal, Al-Ain, Urawa Red Diamonds, Ulsan HD
Paris Saint-Germain players Desire Doue (L) and Marquinhos celebrate after their Champions League quarter-final second-leg match against Aston Villa. Photo: AFP
Monetary reward
The winners of this year's tournament will earn up to $218 million, FIFA said, from a total prize pot of $1.74 billion.
About half of the total prize money will be divided between all 32 clubs, with the amount per club based on sporting and commercial criteria, meaning clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid will receive a greater percentage than smaller clubs.
A further $827 million will be awarded on a performance-related basis.
Auckland City are set to receive $6.25 million for participating, as well as a potential $2.5 million for any win.
When and where
The tournament will be held in 12 stadiums around the USA from 16 June -14 July.
- FC Bayern München v Auckland City FC, Monday 16 June 4am (NZT), in Cincinnati
- SL Benfica v Auckland City FC, Saturday 21 June 4am (NZT), in Orlando
- Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors, Wednesday 25 June 7am (NZT) in Nashville
