FIFA Club World Cup: Auckland City take on favourites Bayern Munich
Ryan de Vries in action for Auckland City.
Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Auckland City will be underdogs throughout the FIFA Club World Cup, but their opening game looms as a true David and Goliath battle.
Auckland are the only amateur side in the expanded 32-team competition held in the USA and first opponents Bayern Munich are one of the most recognisable names in the global game.
The Auckland City v Bayern Munich game is the second match of the tournament and kicks off at 4am Monday (NZT) in Cincinnati.
Head to head
Auckland City striker Angus Kilkolly and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane will play in the same group at the Club World Cup
Photo: Photosport/AFP
Auckland City are the sole representatives from the Oceania Football Confederation at the tournament, whereas Bayern Munich are one of 12 European teams competing.
The German club has won the Club World Cup twice before. Auckland have made 11 previous appearances at the tournament, with a best placing of third in 2014.
Auckland City are the most successful team in the region, when it comes to qualifying for international tournaments.
Bayern Munich are the most successful team in German football history and celebrated the first of their 34 league titles in 1932. Bayern won 11 consecutive league titles between 2013-23 and won the latest 2024/25 season.
Bayern Munich arrive in the USA, after wrapping up their Bundesliga season on 18 May, whereas Auckland City have taken a hiatus from the Northern League and Chatham Cup to compete at the Club World Cup, and will make up the missed domestic games later.
Bayern Munich were active in FIFA’s specially created extra-transfer window, that allowed teams competing at the Club World Cup to bring in players, signing German defender Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen and midfielder Tom Bischof from TSG Hoffenheim. Auckland City did not make any transfers, and stuck with their tried and true 28-man squad.
Coaches
Auckland City have been without head coach Paul Posa for the build-up to the tournament, due to personal circumstances.
City assistants Adria Casals, Daewook Kim and Ivan Vicelich, who was part of the side’s historic third-place finish, have guided the team in Posa’s absence.
Bayern Munich are coached by Vincent Kompany, a former Manchester City captain.
Kompany took on the Bayern coaching role in 2024, following his role with Burnley, who were relegated from the English Premier League during his time there.
What they are saying
“We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience, allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared and compete to the best of our ability,” Posa told Reuters.
“The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times, however, I believe we’re on track to achieve this.”
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane told beIN sports he was confident of adding to their trophy haul.
“We’re one of the best teams in the world, without a doubt, so every tournament we go into, the idea is to win. We know it’ll be tough, of course, as every major tournament will be, but look, we’re having a good season.”
Where are they playing
Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium will host four group stage matches at the Club World Cup and is one of 12 stadiums that will be used across the 29-day tournament.
The stadium opened in 2021 as a football (soccer) stadium and is home to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati. It has also hosted seven international matches and two concerts.
Auckland City and Bayern Munich’s game will be the first Club World Cup action at the stadium that can hold 26,000.
Squads
Auckland City’s Adam Bell.
Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.nz
Auckland City – Conor Tracey, Areya Prasad, Nathan Garrow, Adam Mitchell, Christian Gray, Nikko Boxall, Regont Murati, Nathan Lobo, Jordan Vale, Dylan Connolly, Adam Bell, Zhou Tong, Alfie Rogers, Michael den Heijer, Ryan Ellis, Mario Ilich (captain), Gerard Garriga, Jeremy Foo, Matt Ellis, David Yoo, Kentaro Ozaki, Jackson Manuel, Paris Domfeh, Kailan Gould, Myer Bevan, Angus Kilkolly, Dylan Manickum, Ryan De Vries, Joseph Lee, Jerson Lagos, Haris Zeb.
Bayern Munich – Leon Klanac, Manuel Neuer, Daniel Peretz, Jonas Urbig, Adam Aznou, Sacha Boey, Raphaël Guerreiro, Cassiano Kiala, Kim Min-jae, Josip Stanišić, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano, Tom Bischof, Leon Goretzka, Konrad Laimer, Joshua Kimmich, João Palhinha, Aleksandar Pavlović, David Santos, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane, Lennart Karl, Maurice Krattenmacher, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Leroy Sané.
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