When the revamped FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this weekend, one team will stand apart from the superstar-laden squads of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City. Auckland City, New Zealand’s amateur champions, bring a remarkable underdog story to the $1 billion tournament where their players earn nothing compared to opponents like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
The Oceania representatives face German powerhouse Bayern Munich in their opening match, with England captain Harry Kane likely leading the line against a defense comprised of teachers, sales representatives and real estate agents. For striker Angus Kilkolly, who balances football with his day job selling power tools, the opportunity represents the culmination of years of sacrifice. “It’s probably our dream group,” Kilkolly told AFP. “To be actually on the same pitch is a little bit crazy.”
Auckland City’s remarkable journey includes 13 Oceania Champions League titles and a third-place finish at the 2014 Club World Cup. Their Kiwitea Street home, nestled in a residential Auckland neighborhood, typically hosts crowds between 200-2,000 spectators – a far cry from the global spotlight awaiting them in Cincinnati’s 26,000-capacity TQL Stadium.
The amateur players have taken unpaid leave from their day jobs for the nearly month-long tournament. Kilkolly admits Kane “earns more in a week than I earn in a year,” but emphasizes the club will stay true to their possession-based philosophy against the world’s best. “If we can leave there saying we played our style, that’s success,” said the 29-year-old, who maintains a goal-every-other-game ratio despite his full-time work commitments.
While the financial gulf is staggering – New Zealand’s amateur footballers receive just NZ$150 ($90) weekly for expenses – Auckland City’s players cherish their community club atmosphere. Post-match drinks in their boutique club room contrast sharply with the luxury surrounding their billionaire opponents, yet Kilkolly and his teammates wouldn’t trade their unique opportunity to experience professional football’s brightest stage while maintaining their working-class roots.
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