Expectations are low for New Zealand team, but there could be some surprises from the Northern League side
Let's get one thing out of the way: Auckland City FC aren't going to the Club World Cup's knockout stages. In a stacked Group C, which features heavyweights Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors and Benfica, the team will be lucky to get a draw, let alone a win against teams with higher pedigree, payrolls and tradition.
Yet, the 10-time Dettol Northern League winners have plenty to play for and it could be a catalyst for an unlikely result or two. This is the top team from the Oceania region, with seven straight OFC Champions League titles in their trophy cabinet.
Including previous Club World Cup appearances, this is the biggest tournament the New Zealanders have participated in. play in a 2,500-capacity stadium. They'll be playing one of the tournament favorites in Bayern at the 26,000 seater TQL stadium, by comparison, for their opener.
That's not to mention the potential chance to showcase a relatively unknown team to dozens of international scouts at the tournament. Former New Zealand defender Winston Reid parlayed a strong showing in the 2010 World Cup into big money move to West Ham following the tournament. That should also serve as motivation.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
Next up is Auckland City FC, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the pride of Oceania ahead of this summer's tournament.
Getty ImagesThe Basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: Dettol Northern League
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: Two Club World Cup wins (2013, 2020)
GROUP: C (Auckland City, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Bayern Munich)
OPENING MATCH: Bayern Munich – June 15, noon ET, Cincinnati
AdvertisementHow they got here
Auckland City had already locked up the OFC’s spot at the FIFA Club World Cup by the time the rankings-based qualification was finalized in December 2023 – a reflection of how far ahead they are in the region.
Their dominance in Oceania is historic – they have won 10 OFC Champions League titles in 12 years.
GettyThe player to watch
Auckland City FC feature a number of unheralded players, but there are two names that stand out: Dylan Manickum and Harris Zeb – both have intriguing footballing stories.
Manickum, 32, is en route to becoming one of the club's all-time greats, having won three league and Champions League titles and scoring 52 league goals in 150 appearances. An attacking midfielder who can impact with his finishing, he is Auckland City's biggest threat.
In addition, while he's never played in a senior international football competition, he is a well-known star in the international futsal scene, having made 63 appearances and scoring 37 goals for New Zealand.
Zeb, 23, could be a player with an incentive to showcase himself to bigger clubs in the tournament. The winger has two goals in three matches this season. The dual-national New Zealander, who has been called into a few of Pakistan's recent camps, could provide quality on the left hand side for Auckland City.
Realistic expectation
Start with scoring a goal. Build from there.
Yes, that sounds harsh on the New Zealand side, but it's hard to see where the results will come from in a stacked group. If there is one thing will benefit from, it's their previous participation in the Club World Cup. Believe it or not, Auckland City are the record holders for CWC appearances with 11. They even secured an impressive third in 2014 – albeit in a much scaled down field.
It should help, but the reality is the expanded format – which features more top sides from Europe and around the world – will prove to be too tall of a task. At present, expectations are low for Auckland City.