Club World Cup 2025: A mismatch – why were Auckland City playing Bayern Munich?

The only OFC team competing in the Club World Cup, Auckland qualified for the Club World Cup as the best OFC Champions League winners over the ranking period between 2021 and 2024.

They have dominated their continental competition in recent years, winning it 13 times since 2006.

They won four and drew one of their five games in the most recent edition of the tournament, scoring 13 goals and conceding just twice.

Reflecting on Sunday’s defeat, Auckland’s interim coach Ivan Vicelich said: “This [result] is the reality of football against one of the world’s top teams.

“It’s a dream for players coming from an amateur level to play in this environment. We knew it was going to be a very difficult game, playing against one of the top teams in the world – potentially one of the favourites – so we’re just really proud of the players’ efforts.”

Bayern boss Vincent Kompany added: “We have to remain modest, but it was important to be able to say that we took the game seriously.

“It was a good first match at the tournament, but of course challengers are going to grow and it’s going to become more difficult.”

The Bundesliga champions take on Argentine giants Boca Juniors in their next Group C encounter on Friday local in Miami (Saturday 02:00 BST).

“A traditional game from Europe against a traditional team from South America – even if I weren’t Bayern coach, I’d have attended this game,” said Kompany. “It will be special.”