The Skipper at the Heart our Club World Cup™ Journey
Press Release – Auckland City FC
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Auckland City FC is gearing up for one of the biggest challenges in its storied history, the FIFA Club World Cup ™ 2025 in the United States.
Leading the charge is none other than club captain Mario Ilich, a stalwart defender who embodies the spirit of the team both on and off the pitch.
Since making his debut in February 2012, Ilich has become the backbone of Auckland City FC's defence, playing 161 matches and even finding the net 13 times.
But beyond the numbers, it's his leadership, intelligence, and sheer physicality that set him apart. As captain, he sets the standards, rallying his teammates and ensuring that Auckland City FC competes at the highest level.
For Ilich, football is more than just a game, it's a passion rooted in his home city of Auckland. 'I grew up in Auckland and lived here most of my life,' he says.
'It's such a great city, it's got a bit of everything. Beaches, lovely walks, yeah, lots of great golf courses.' His deep connection with the city and its people makes him the perfect leader to represent Auckland on the global stage.
A typical day in his life reflects the relentless dedication that has fuelled his success. 'Wake up at 5 a.m., gym, breakfast, then off to work by 7:30, finish by 5, straight to training for two hours, home by 8:30 or 9, dinner, and then do it all again.'
This unwavering commitment is why he is admired not just by his teammates, but also by the young players who look up to him. 'All the kids that come and watch our games, all the kids we coach in schools, they all look up to us.'
As Auckland City FC embarks on its Club World Cup™ quest, the team understands the gravity of the competition.
'Knowing that we'll be representing New Zealand at the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2025 is a huge privilege,' says Ilich.
'Obviously, we know how hard it's going to be coming up against massive teams and big players, but let's see what can happen.'
With Ilich at the helm, Auckland City FC is more than just a team, it's a symbol of pride for the city of Auckland and a beacon of inspiration for young footballers across New Zealand.
As the team prepares for battle on football's biggest stage, one thing is certain: their captain will lead them with determination, heart, and an unshakable connection to the city he calls home.
Auckland City will take on European powerhouse Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
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6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland City's Club World Cup campaign includes football giants
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 A "bunch of amateurs from New Zealand" will live out their football dreams at the Club World Cup. Auckland City are the only amateur side to qualify for the expanded 32-team tournament in the USA, starting on 15 June. Auckland have represented Oceania 11 times at the Club World Cup with a best result of a third place in 2014. But this year is different. This year Auckland City have been drawn in the same group as six-time European champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese heavyweights Benfica and Argentina's Boca Juniors. Auckland's high profile opponents have brought a lot of attention to what the club are trying to accomplish, striker Angus Kilkolly said. "But at the same time, we're still a bunch of amateurs from New Zealand who dream of playing football on the world stage, and then go there and do the best we can." Auckland City, a club established just 21 years ago, may lack the history of some clubs at the tournament and operate with a smaller budget without the same state-of-the-art facilities of powerhouse professional sides, but the Club World Cup could be the "peak" of some players' careers and is an opportunity for the club to reach new audiences. When the draw for the tournament was made in late 2024 Auckland City general manager Gordon Watson said the club's story "resonates not just with football fans but with people from all walks of life". "Representing Mount Roskill, Mount Albert, Sandringham, and all corners of our domestic football pyramid-including the wider Pacific region-is both a privilege and a responsibility," Watson said. Angus Kilkolly of Auckland City FC celebrates his goal with Nathan Lobo. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ This tournament will be the fifth time that Kilkolly has played a Club World Cup, once previously with Team Wellington and the rest with Auckland. To be drawn in Group C "was probably what we all kind of dreamed about", Kilkolly said. "No matter who we got drawn against we would have been underdogs regardless. So I'd rather be an underdog against some of the powerhouses of European football and South American football. "For us to be drawn against some household names and playing against some household sort of players, in a sense, I don't think we could have wanted anything different, really." Kilkolly has nothing but good memories from playing football in different parts of the world with Auckland City since he joined the club in 2020, and he recognised what this type of tournament could do for his team mates and him. "We've got some young boys who are obviously hoping to go and have careers in pro football so this is a great opportunity for them to test themselves and see if they're at that level, or how far away they are from that level. "We've got other players, probably the bracket I'm more in, who have been to a few Club World Cups this is probably the peak of our careers. "I think we're going there a little bit naive and going there for dream and a bit of a hope that we can come back with our own special story." By expanding the Club World Cup, FIFA has changed the way it is run. The format mirrors a 32-team international World Cup. Eight groups of four teams in each. The top two teams from each group will make it through the last 16, while the bottom two teams in each group will be eliminated. Cross over games will happen with the last 16, with the winners of those games moving on to the quarterfinals, semifinals and final. "Normally would go to a tournament that has seven teams" Kikolly said, "Would play a one off game. If we win, we play another one. If we lose, we come back. "The difference with this one is we get a group stage. We know we've got guaranteed of three games in the tournament. 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"We're giving ourselves the best opportunity to get over there early, get climatised, play against some good opposition, so when that first game does come around, it's not as big of a jump as it would be going straight from New Zealand to there." Bayern Munich's Harry Kane. Photo: INA FASSBENDER Several European players and coaches have raised concerns over player welfare with the revamped Club World Cup meaning less time off between seasons. Bayern Munich's striker and England captain Harry Kane was vocal about the increased games and shorter rest periods. "I don't think the players are listened to that much, if I'm totally honest. But also everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players are kind of the people who have to get on with it," Kane said. "But it is what it is. I love playing football, so I'm never going to complain about playing football. I think if you manage it well, with your coaches and your manager and your clubs, there are ways of getting more rest in certain moments. "But it's not an easy question, it's not an easy situation. I think there could be a balance from both sides, but we'd have to see how that pans out." The Professional Footballers' Association has also taken legal action against FIFA, calling the football calendar "overloaded and unmanageable." According to FIFPRO, the global union for professional players, Club World Cup-bound players are among the most overworked for the 2024/25 season already, with Benfica's Kerem Akturkoglu making the most appearances (55) followed by the likes of Real Madrid's Luka Modric (54); Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez and Real's Federico Valverde are among players on 53 appearances up until 1 April. It is estimated that Uruguayan Valverde, who has made 43 back-to-back appearances up until 1 April with less than five days of recovery time prior to these matches, could potentially reach 65 back-to-back appearances for club and country come the end of the season, racking up close to 7000 minutes and 78 games. Auckland City play in the New Zealand domestic football competition (Northern League, National League Championship and Chatham Cup) and Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Champions League. Auckland City FC captain Mario Ilich celebrates with trophy and team. Birkenhead United FC v Auckland City FC, Men's National League Football final at North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The build-up to the Club World Cup has included 19 matches across three competitions since March. "Our schedules are hectic for an amateur team that everyone works sort of 40 hours a week to be playing 45 games. That definitely takes its toll and it is a big sacrifice being made by everyone to keep giving the club success," Kilkolly said. Auckland will take a squad of up to 27 players to the USA. Before they left for the tournament on 2 June, they played a Northern League game against West Coast Rangers on the May 30 and a Chatham Cup game against Onehunga Mangere United the following day. Kilkolly could see the benefit of two games in three days before travelling across the world. "When there is a lot of games in a short period of time, it does make it easier to make sure everyone is match fit, because everyone wants to be going to America fully fit, fully ready to play and contribute as much as they can to the team." Auckland City captain and defender Mario Ilich made his debut in 2012 and has been a stalwart of the defence ever since, playing 161 matches and even scoring 13 goals. A typical day in his life reflects the balance Auckland players need to find to keep playing. "Wake up at 5am, gym, breakfast, then off to work by 7.30, finish by 5, straight to training for two hours, home by 8.30 or 9, dinner, and then do it all again." Similar to Kane, Auckland players also give up time off (annual leave) to attend to the Club World Cup. "For a lot of us our workplaces understand the enormity of what we're going to do. My manager loves football, so he understands it's an awesome experience for me," Kilkolly said. "On the downside of it, I won't have any annual leave left when I get back. There won't be any other trips coming up anytime soon." Bayern Munich - The most successful club in German football history celebrated the first of their 34 league titles in 1932. Bayern won 11 consecutive league titles between 2013 and 2023 and won the latest season 2024/25. The club has also had success outside Germany with six UEFA Champions League titles (previously the European Cup), two Intercontinental Cups and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies. Bayern won the Club World Cup for the first time in 2013 and again in 2021. Notable players include England captain centre forward Harry Kane, German midfielders Jamal Musiala and Joshua Kimmich, French winger Michael Olise and Canadian left back Alphonso Davies who is currently injured. German forward Leroy Sané could be gone by the time the Club World Cup starts and former German international striker and club legend Thomas Müller is leaving at season's end which might mean he doesn't play in the Club World Cup. SL Benfica players Photo: VALTER GOUVEIA Benfica - The club from Lisbon has more than 120 years of history and has spent 91 years in Portugal's top flight competition. The club is celebrated for historic European Cup victories and a world-class academy. Benfica won the Portuguese League Cup for the eighth time in the 2024/25 season and finished second in the premier competition. 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North and Central America and the Caribbean: Pachuca, Monterrey, Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, Los Angeles FC Africa: Al Ahly, Wydad, Esperance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns Asia: Al Hilal, Al-Ain, Urawa Red Diamonds, Ulsan HD Paris Saint-Germain players Desire Doue (L) and Marquinhos celebrate after their Champions League quarter-final second-leg match against Aston Villa. Photo: AFP The winners of this year's tournament will earn up to $218 million, FIFA said, from a total prize pot of $1.74 billion. About half of the total prize money will be divided between all 32 clubs, with the amount per club based on sporting and commercial criteria, meaning clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid will receive a greater percentage than smaller clubs. A further $827 million will be awarded on a performance-related basis. Auckland City are set to receive $6.25 million for participating, as well as a potential $2.5 million for any win. The tournament will be held in 12 stadiums around the USA from 16 June -14 July.
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2 days ago
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Auckland City FC Enjoy Winning Send Off To The USA
Press Release – Auckland FC AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Auckland City FC signed off on home soil with a 4–0 victory over Onehunga-Mangere United in the Chatham Cup, before departing for the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2025 in the United States. Goals from Jerson Lagos (2), Ryan De Vries, and Matt Ellis sealed the result at Kiwitea Street, while long-serving midfielder Jordan Vale marked his 150th appearance for the club. The occasion was made even more special by a heartfelt presentation from Mount Roskill Intermediate School, whose principal Kirsten Walsham gifted taonga to Chairperson Ivan Vuksich, Captain Mario Ilich, and General Manager Gordon Watson on behalf of the school community. 'The build-up to the FIFA Club World Cup™ has been intense — 19 matches across three competitions since March,' said Vuksich. 'The support we've had from the local community, and especially Mount Roskill Intermediate, has been incredible. The taonga given to us is a powerful gesture, and the players are honoured to carry that spirit with them as they represent the club and the region.' The squad departs Auckland on Monday 2 June in two groups and will play a warm-up fixture against Philadelphia Union on 5 June before facing UAE giants Al Ain FC in Washington, DC on 9 June. Auckland City FC will compete in Group C against European champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and South American powerhouses Boca Juniors, a historic moment for New Zealand football and the Oceania region. Auckland City will take on European powerhouse Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Auckland City FC Enjoy Winning Send Off To The USA
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC signed off on home soil with a 4–0 victory over Onehunga-Mangere United in the Chatham Cup, before departing for the FIFA Club World Cup™ 2025 in the United States. Goals from Jerson Lagos (2), Ryan De Vries, and Matt Ellis sealed the result at Kiwitea Street, while long-serving midfielder Jordan Vale marked his 150th appearance for the club. The occasion was made even more special by a heartfelt presentation from Mount Roskill Intermediate School, whose principal Kirsten Walsham gifted taonga to Chairperson Ivan Vuksich, Captain Mario Ilich, and General Manager Gordon Watson on behalf of the school community. 'The build-up to the FIFA Club World Cup™ has been intense — 19 matches across three competitions since March,' said Vuksich. 'The support we've had from the local community, and especially Mount Roskill Intermediate, has been incredible. The taonga given to us is a powerful gesture, and the players are honoured to carry that spirit with them as they represent the club and the region.' The squad departs Auckland on Monday 2 June in two groups and will play a warm-up fixture against Philadelphia Union on 5 June before facing UAE giants Al Ain FC in Washington, DC on 9 June. Auckland City FC will compete in Group C against European champions Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and South American powerhouses Boca Juniors, a historic moment for New Zealand football and the Oceania region. Auckland City will take on European powerhouse Bayern Munich, Portuguese giants SL Benfica, and Argentine heavyweights Boca Juniors in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
