From day jobs to the world stage: how New Zealand’s semi-professional champions are preparing to face Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup
From real estate to Real Madrid dreams
Auckland City FC is not your average participant at the Club World Cup. While their competitors arrive in the United States armed with full-time squads, million-dollar payrolls, and elite infrastructure, the New Zealand side will land with a squad made up of teachers, university students, and sales reps. For these part-timers, the tournament represents not just a sporting challenge, but the opportunity of a lifetime.
“We’re all used to leaving the house in the morning, going to do the day job, and then training at night,” striker Angus Kilkolly told the BBC. “It’s something we’ve always done, so it just feels normal. But now, we get to live the dream—at least for a little while.”
Kilkolly, who manages a sales team for a global power tool brand, is one of several Auckland players juggling careers off the pitch. Among his teammates are estate agents, teachers, and university students. Despite the logistical and physical demands, they’ve won the Oceania Champions League four years in a row and are the region’s sole representatives at this historic, expanded edition of the Club World Cup.
A draw like no other
When the tournament kicks off this Saturday, Auckland will enter Group C alongside some of the most iconic clubs in football history: Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors. It’s a line-up more familiar to Champions League finals than to Oceania qualifiers. “When the draw got made we were all ecstatic—it’s a dream for us,” Kilkolly said. “These are the teams we grew up watching in the Champions League. Now we’re sharing the pitch with them.”
Their opening game will be against German giants Bayern Munich, six-time European champions and current Bundesliga title-holders. Days later, they’ll face Benfica, one of Portugal’s most storied clubs, and finally, Boca Juniors—South America’s six-time Copa Libertadores champions. For Kilkolly and his teammates, the opportunity is nothing short of surreal. “It’s not just about proving we can play,” he said. “It’s about showing our character, our resilience, and that we deserve to be here.”
Building belief through tradition
While Auckland City may not be a household name globally, they are a giant in their region. This year marks their 12th appearance at the Club World Cup—more than any other club. Their best finish came in 2014 when they stunned the world by finishing third. But this year’s format, expanded from 7 to 32 teams, represents a new level of competition and exposure. “We’ve played in front of big crowds before and against very strong teams,” Kilkolly noted. “But this is definitely a step up. Bayern has Harry Kane. That’s the level we’re talking about.”
Despite the gap in professional resources, Auckland City isn’t in the U.S. just to take pictures. “The Kiwi attitude is the underdog on the global stage,” Kilkolly said. “We’re going to work hard, fight for every ball, and hopefully surprise a few people.”
Finding moments outside the game
While the tournament is the main event, the trip has also provided a chance for players to explore the U.S.—a first visit for many. The squad spent time in Washington D.C., where they visited historic landmarks including the White House and national monuments. “It was really special,” Kilkolly said. “These are things you only see on TV or in movies, and suddenly you’re standing right there.”
That sense of wonder extends to the facilities and training environments, which Kilkolly described as “amazing.” For semi-professionals accustomed to balancing work, training, and personal lives, every moment in the U.S. has been a blend of awe, gratitude, and determination.
Playing for something bigger
For Kilkolly, 29, the journey to this point has been marked by personal loss. He lost his brother three years ago and his father just over a year ago. Their absence, he says, has deepened his sense of purpose.
“Experiences like that don’t change your perspective—they enhance it,” he said. “Life is short, and when opportunities like this come, you have to take them. I know they’re watching, and I want to make them proud.”
More than just a football match, this tournament represents legacy, memory, and the kind of fulfillment that transcends sport. “We’re living our own story now,” he added.
No pressure, just pride
In a competition filled with football royalty—from Real Madrid and Manchester City to PSG and Chelsea—Auckland City stands as a symbol of possibility. They are not burdened by expectation, nor distracted by fame. They are, quite simply, in it for the love of the game. “We know we’ve got three games, and we’re preparing for each one like it’s a final,” Kilkolly said. “We might not have the pedigree, but we’ve got the heart.” And for football fans around the world, that might just be what makes Auckland City the most compelling team in the tournament.
