The little-known football club and its roster of dentists, teachers, and mechanics are heading to the FIFA Club World Cup for a well-earned chance at making history on an International stage.
The FIFA Club World Cup is finally here, bringing all the spectacle and stakes worthy of a billion-dollar blockbuster tournament. With its revamped format and ambitious commercial goals, it’s being touted as one of the most lucrative competitions in the history of sports. The eventual winner, which will be decided on July 13 at MetLife Stadium, is set to pocket a total of $40 million in prize money and lifelong bragging rights.
But while football’s giants eye silverware and soaring profits, one unlikely contender — Auckland City FC — is chasing a different kind of glory. For the semi-pro side from New Zealand, this five-week-long adventure is more than a paycheck; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime shot at rewriting football folklore, both in the bank and on the pitch.
Unless you’re a niche footy fan, it’s likely you’ve never heard of this club.
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Founded in February 2004, this team meets all the qualifications for this competition, and its domestic accomplishments make it more than ready to challenge its intercontinental foes. Auckland City is making a record 12th appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, securing its entry by winning the OFC Men’s Champions League title 11 times in the past 14 years. Talent is obviously there, but there is one thing that separates them from their fellow Group C members, Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors: The men who make up the Auckland City FC roster all work regular jobs, and playing serves as a second source of income.
Right back Jordan Vale is a teacher by trade. Right winger Jerson Lagos is a part-time mechanic. And the list goes on and on.
From a financial perspective, perhaps the most glaring statistic that separates Auckland City from 34-time Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich is its valuation. Transfermarkt values Auckland at €5.2 million ($5.93 million); meanwhile, Bayern sits in sixth on CNBC‘s 2025 most valuable club list at €4.1 billion ($5.1 billion) for the 2023-24 season. This means Bayern’s worth is nearly 1,000 times greater than Auckland City’s, highlighting not only the vast economic disparity between continents but also how global exposure, commercial appeal, and competitive league structures shape a club’s financial footprint.
@aucklandcityfc Bits of our first training session at Baylor school in Chattanooga!!
♬ original sound – prodvior
“Whilst we know we are – relatively speaking – the weakest confederation, footballing-wise, it’s still a huge honour to be on the stage with these teams. It just means the world to our club and to the people involved,” said manager Paul Posa. “There’s absolutely no pressure on us to achieve results, I don’t feel. We are probably the smallest club there, being an amateur team as well, obviously. So, there’s no pressure on results. I think we have to go there and prepare the best we can, give it everything we’ve got. And you know, our job could well be just to go out there and try and cause an upset. And you never know, sport is like that, it’s not over till it’s over.”
This brings us, once again, to the Club World Cup.
On American soil, where millions are eager to watch their favorite clubs in person, on a network promising to broadcast matches live for the domestic and international audience, Auckland has the potential to make history. The $40 million prize money for winning the entire competition isn’t just game-changing for any club, but it would be significant for the advancement of this specific organization’s potential. A win against a single opponent nets them $2 million; even a draw earns money for the team ($1 million). Should they advance into the Round of 16, that’s $7.5 million, already exceeding Auckland City’s total worth. This could be a Cinderella story for the ages, and perhaps they can even make a surprise quarter-final appearance, increasing their chances of winning $13.1 million.
“Being the only amateur side, boys do the 9-5 and then we come here four times a week to train and then, obviously, play on the weekends. It’s a big challenge for a lot of us,” forward Ryan De Vries said. “Some of the boys have kids, so you don’t get to see your kids as often, because you see them in the morning, and then you get home [at] 9:30, 10 o’clock, and then you’ve got to do it all over again. But it’s a sacrifice that we make as players to achieve things, you know. And, we’re grateful and honoured to be a part of this (FIFA) Club World Cup.”
Money aside, players are competing in front of the best eyes in the sport. In an expectedly dramatic summer transfer window, managers, club directors, sponsors, and others are eyeing new talent who could be their new franchise athlete. While much depends on how far they advance, even a standout performance in a single match can attract interest from top-tier clubs. The exposure is unparalleled, giving these competitors a chance to showcase their talent in front of millions and potentially leap from regional obscurity to the world’s most powerful leagues.
Auckland City FC stands as the sole amateur club in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, a credit to their remarkable ascent from local fields in Sandringham, New Zealand, to the global stage. Regardless of how the next five weeks go for them, they’ve already made history. The financial and logistical gymnastics can’t be ignored.
Teammates have taken unpaid leave from their day jobs for the possibility of a life-changing paycheck, and Posa, also a full-time dentist, has returned to lead the team after a 15-year hiatus, although he wasn’t with them in the build-up to the tournament due to personal matters. Nonetheless, their participation highlights the power of passion and perseverance in football, demonstrating that even the smallest clubs can have a significant impact on the international stage.
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