No matter how much of a soccer sicko you are, there is one region that most likely flies under your radar. The Oceanic region boasts a robust soccer scene that typically doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Bringing awareness to these underappreciated regions is one of the best parts about events such as the FIFA Club World Cup.
With the Club World Cup (CWC) coming to the Queen City this year, fans in the Tri-State area and beyond will have a chance to watch some of the biggest clubs in the world. Titans of the worldwide club soccer scene, such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Benfica, and Boca Juniors will participate But in addition to these well-known and storied clubs, we’ll have a chance to see Oceania’s premiere club team.
Based out of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland City FC held their inaugural season in 2004-2005. Since their inception they have climbed the ranks of New Zealand’s top flight, formerly known as the ISPS Handa Premiership, and now known as the National League System. In their 17 years of competing in the Premiership, they won the title eight times.
In addition to their domestic success, they have dominated football internationally as well. They have won the Oceania Football Confederation Champions League 12 times, including a current three straight years.
They’re no stranger to the Club World Cup either, with this year’s rendition being their 14th appearance. Not only have they merely participated in the past, but they’ve found solid success in the competition. Most famously finishing third in the 2014 CWC, being denied a Finals appearance by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of San Lorenzo, the Copa Libertadores champion that year. They would go on to cement their bronze medal via a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Cruz Azul from Liga MX.
To some people’s surprise, ACFC has found this success while maintaining their status as an amateur team. Most of their players hold full-time jobs outside of soccer.
ACFC currently sits second in the National League table, sitting on 15 points with a 5-0-2 record. They’ll look to continue their run of dominance in New Zealand, and a National League title this year would be their 5th consecutive. This would also mean that ACFC would be the only side to have ever won the National League since its inception in 2020.
They’ll begin their 2025 CWC campaign at TQL Stadium on June 15th at 12:00 PM, when they’ll take on this year’s Bundesliga champion, Bayern Munich.
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