Club of the 2025 Club World: An inadequacy – Why was Auckland City playing Bayern Munich?
The FIFA’s decision to extend the club World Cup from seven to 32 teams this summer has already sparked legal complaints from the Union of FifPro players and the World Leagues Association.
But the Gulf in class between Bayern and Auckland on Sunday is likely to raise other questions about the new format of the competition.
The winners of the Oceania Champions League in each of the last four years, Auckland has reached the tournament on this merit. Indeed, New Zealanders appear in the competition for the 12th time – more than any other part.
However, if they should participate in the same group as a Bayern stature club is another case.
During the FIFA Intercontinental Cup last year, which included six teams and actually replaced the club World Cup in 2024, Auckland was beaten 6-2 by Al Ain in the first round.
And during the last club World Cup at seven teams in 2023, they lost 3-0 against the Saudi club Al-Ittihad in their only match.
“These matches are so special for Auckland City,” said former England midfielder Anita Asante, who co-elaborates Sunday’s match for Channel 5. “These guys are heroes of many budding football stars in New Zealand.”
Fans who follow the textual coverage live from the BBC Sport of the game were less in love with the inadequacy of group C:
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Sean: Watching the Bayern tearing a pile of part -time time is simply not and FIFA earlier realizes it, the better. It is not at all entertainment, do not invite ourselves otherwise.
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Sat: I know that Bayern did not choose who they play, but I think that going out this 11 may not have been the most sporty thing to do. This match makes an uncomfortable visualization.
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Richard: Isn’t that what a pre-season friend is, not a competition with a price of 100 million pounds sterling for the winners?
Was there a sympathy for the New Zealanders of their opponents?
Asked after the final whistle if he felt for Auckland, international France Olise simply replied: “No.”
