The Unlikely Contenders

With a squad composed of estate agents, students, and teachers, Auckland City is set to make waves at the 2025 Club World Cup in the United States. This New Zealand team, champions of the Oceania Champions League for the past four years, stands as the only non-professional team among the 32 participants.

Balancing Act: Day Jobs and Night Training

Auckland striker Angus Kilkolly shared insights into their unique preparation: "We're all used to leaving the house in the morning, going to do the day job and then going and training football at night. It's not easy but it's something we have always done so we don't really know any different."

Facing Football Titans

Drawn into Group C, Auckland City will face six-time European champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants Benfica, and Argentina's Boca Juniors. Kilkolly expressed the team's excitement: "When the draw got made we were all ecstatic, it's a dream for us. These are teams we're used to watching in the Champions League and European finals."

A Historic Opportunity

This marks Auckland City's 12th appearance at the Club World Cup, more than any other side. Despite being underdogs, the team is determined to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level. Kilkolly believes in their potential to cause shock results: "We know we have got three games and it's not the case if we win one game we stay on. We can prepare for a whole tournament and have the opportunity to grow, show our personalities and what we're capable of."

The Kiwi Spirit

Kilkolly emphasized the Kiwi attitude of being the underdog on the global stage: "We're going to work hard and hopefully leave the grounds with our heads held high." The world will be watching as Auckland City aims to make their mark and honor the memories of loved ones who inspired their journey.

Exploring the USA

Before their matches, the team took time to explore the United States, visiting landmarks like the White House. Kilkolly shared: "We got to spend a few days in Washington and went to see the White House and a few of the monuments, which was cool."

Conclusion

Auckland City's story is one of resilience, passion, and the pursuit of dreams. As they step onto the field against some of the world's best teams, they carry with them the hopes of their community and the spirit of the underdog.