Aksel Kryhlmand
A team of part-timers, dreamers, and nine-to-fivers from New Zealand daring to dream on the sport’s biggest platform
As the world tunes in to watch Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland light up the grandest stage in club football, one story stands apart at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a team of part-timers, dreamers, and nine-to-fivers from New Zealand daring to dream on the sport’s biggest platform.
Auckland City FC, hailing from the North Shore of Auckland, isn’t just Oceania’s lone representative at the newly expanded 32-team tournament, it’s also the only amateur team. Their players juggle full-time jobs, university studies, and family life with late-night training sessions, all for the sheer love of the game.
Dreams in Motion
Captain Mario Ilich, who works as a Coca-Cola sales rep by day, wakes at 5 a.m. to squeeze in gym time before his 8–5 job and two-hour evening training sessions.
He leads a squad made up of forklift drivers, warehouse staff, real estate agents, and students, players who clock out of the office and lace up for football not for fame or money, but because they simply love the game.
We’re trying to compete at the top level of the game while holding down two, and in some cases three, jobs, Ilich tells CNN.
Despite the heavy demands, Ilich and his teammates take pride in their commitment training four nights a week, sacrificing weekends, and barely seeing loved ones during the season. Their upcoming opponents, Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors, represent some of football’s richest legacies. But that hasn’t fazed the Navy Blues.
A Goalkeeper Among Crates and Champions
Goalkeeper Conor Tracey, who spends his days on the warehouse floor of a veterinary pharmaceuticals company, knows the toll all too well.
My job can be extremely physical. I’ve been far more prone to injuries… It can be really hard mentally
Yet he’s determined to make it to the pitch, knowing he may soon face the likes of Manuel Neuer, one of the modern game’s greatest keepers.
For Tracey and many of his teammates, this tournament is the pinnacle, an international debut years in the making, far removed from the glitz and glamour of elite sport.
From Europe’s Edge to New Zealand’s Heart
Vice-captain Adam Mitchell once came close to football stardom. He signed with Red Star Belgrade and later joined Bolton Wanderers. But with limited chances and financial uncertainty, he chose stability, trading a pro contract for a real estate career back home.
There are thousands of players fighting for just a handful of contracts. This gives me a chance to keep the dream alive in a different way.”
That dream now sees him marking Harry Kane, England’s all-time top scorer, on the global stage, a stark but thrilling contrast from open houses and office calls.
A Group of Death or a Gateway to Immortality?
Auckland City’s draw is as daunting as it is magical. Their group features:
- Bayern Munich: 34-time Bundesliga champions
- Benfica: Two-time European Cup winners
- Boca Juniors: Six-time Copa Libertadores champions
The squad’s reaction? Jaw-dropping awe.
Our jaws just kept dropping closer to the floor,
Despite the odds, Auckland City’s belief remains firm. Their tactics, resilience, and camaraderie might just be enough to pull off a football miracle.
Playing for More Than Points
Beyond personal milestones, these players know their presence sends a message. Ilich hopes their story will “ignite passion” back home in New Zealand.
It’s just 11 players versus 11 players,” he reminds us. “We’re mates on and off the pitch. If we execute the coach’s plan, who knows what can happen?
For many, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime shot. But they’ve already won hearts before kicking a single ball, representing not just a region, but every underdog who dared to dream.
What’s Next?
Auckland City’s opening match is against Bayern Munich and could be the most watched game in club history. It may also be one of the greatest mismatches on paper. But in sport, belief and bravery can sometimes outshine billions.
And for these amateurs, there’s nothing amateur about their spirit.
They’re on millions,” Ilich says. “We’re amateurs. But we’ve got heart and that’s what we’re taking into every minute we’re on that pitch.