‘Supreme Underdog’ – Why Auckland City Fans Are Spending Big to Watch Their 5,074th-Ranked Team Lose at the Club World Cup

From Sandringham to Cincinnati: The Journey of a Lifetime for Auckland City Supporters

There’s loyalty. And then there’s the type of loyalty that sees you spend thousands of dollars, burn all your annual leave, and cross the globe just to watch your team get beaten – badly.

But that’s exactly what a small, passionate group of Auckland City FC supporters did this summer. For the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, nearly 30 fans made the 13,000-kilometre pilgrimage from Sandringham, New Zealand – a suburb of just 12,000 people – all the way to Cincinnati, Ohio. Some took over 35 hours to arrive, navigating complex, multi-stop itineraries through Sydney, Dallas, or wherever the cheapest fares led them. No direct flights. No VIP packages. Just sheer commitment.

They weren’t there expecting to see miracles. This is Auckland City FC, after all – a semi-pro club that plays in a 3,500-capacity ground that used to be a public park. According to Opta’s global club rankings, they’re 5,074th in the world. Let that number sink in. And yet, their fans showed up anyway, wearing scarves and hope, knowing they’d probably get hammered.

And guess what? They did.

Kiwitea Street

Bayern Munich 10, Auckland City 0 – And Not a Single Regret

Auckland City’s Club World Cup debut this year saw them matched up against Bayern Munich. Not just any version of Bayern either – the Bavarian giants fielded a near-full-strength lineup, complete with the likes of Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Joshua Kimmich. Six minutes in, the Germans were on the board. By the 20-minute mark, it was 4-0.

By the end of the 90, it was 10-0.

But for the Auckland faithful, that was never the point.

“It’s such a big event, and this might be the only time we ever get to be part of something like this,” said Blair Shaw, one of the many die-hard fans who made the trip. “We know what we are. We are that supreme underdog.”

The Supreme Underdog Mentality: Auckland’s Unexpected Legacy

FC Bayern Munchen v Auckland City FC: Group C – FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Founded in 2004, Auckland City is the definition of a community club. Their players aren’t full-time pros. They can’t legally be paid more than about $90 a week in expenses. Most hold down day jobs: sales reps, warehouse workers, uni students. Some volunteer at local schools. And yet, they keep showing up on the world stage.

How? Because of Oceania’s unique qualification route. Thanks to their dominance in the OFC Champions League – beating clubs from places like Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Tahiti – Auckland keep earning a ticket to the Club World Cup.

This year, the expanded 32-team format gave them a bigger stage. And a bigger challenge.

Alongside Bayern, they were drawn into a group with Portuguese giants Benfica and Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors. For most clubs, that’s a footballing death sentence. For Auckland, it was a dream.

“When the draw came out, we were buzzing,” said left-back Nathan Lobo. “You grow up watching these clubs on TV. Now you’re sharing the pitch with them. It’s surreal.”

From Local Legends to Global Dreamers

OFC Champions League Final – Team Wellington v Auckland City

For players like goalkeeper Conor Tracey, who works full-time in a pharmaceutical warehouse, facing off against Manuel Neuer wasn’t just special – it was deeply personal. Tracey grew up idolising the German No.1. After the match, he got to meet him, even sharing a few words with Bayern’s goalkeeping coach.

Yes, he conceded 10 goals. No, he doesn’t care.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Tracey told teammates afterward. “You just try to soak it all in.”

These kinds of moments are scattered across the Auckland City story. Lobo, who recently graduated with a degree in food science and nutrition, had to put his postgraduate plans on hold to join the team on this journey. “The university said I wouldn’t meet the required hours for hospital placements,” he explained. “So we decided to hit pause for a bit.”

Others are juggling work calls between matches, using vacation days, and living out of shared Airbnbs as they drive across the U.S. to follow their team from city to city.

Football, Humility, and a Whole Lot of Heart

Auckland City fans

There’s a simple kind of magic in how Auckland City approach the game. “Professional standards need to be upheld,” said Lobo, when asked whether Bayern running up the score felt cruel. “That’s a sign of respect.”

And in truth, it was. Bayern didn’t take it easy. Kompany barked orders from the sidelines for the full 90 minutes. Harry Kane didn’t score – which Auckland’s defenders were quietly thrilled about. Jamal Musiala came on and bagged a hat-trick in 17 minutes. Brutal? Yes. But also beautiful.

“Watching those players up close – how strong, how fast, how precise they are – it was a privilege,” said Shaw. “Even if the score hurt, we’ll remember this forever.”

Beyond the Pitch: A Club That Gives Back

Auckland City fans

It’s not just the underdog tale that resonates. It’s how Auckland City carry themselves. Many of the players volunteer at local schools like Mount Roskill Intermediate, using football as a tool to keep kids engaged and out of trouble.

“They’re not all natural footballers,” Lobo laughs. “But we play games with them – sometimes even kickball – and they love it. It’s a break from the classroom, and they get to just be kids.”

This spirit of service, of grassroots passion, is part of what makes Auckland so loveable. “It’s my definition of the good of the game,” said Dennis Katsanos, the club’s unofficial photographer. “We want to raise the standard, but also bring others with us.”

Looking Ahead: Boca, Benfica, and Whatever Comes Next

After the Bayern loss, the supporters regrouped over breakfast. Spirits were high. It didn’t matter that the scoreline was lopsided. What mattered was that they were there, in the thick of it, representing something bigger than just football.

Next up are Boca Juniors in Nashville and Benfica in Orlando. Realistically, those matches probably won’t go much better. But the fans don’t mind.

They’ve already made their memories.

There’s even a rumour that the club will pocket $3.6 million just for showing up – a game-changing sum for a team that still relies on volunteers to pour pints on matchday. Whether the funds go to players, facilities, or community programs is up to the New Zealand FA. But even that is secondary to the supporters.

“This trip cost us a lot,” Shaw admitted. “But it gave us even more.”

Final Whistle: Why They’ll Keep Coming Back

Some say the Club World Cup shouldn’t include teams like Auckland City. That it distorts the competition. That 10-0 scorelines are embarrassing.

Auckland fans see it differently.

They see a club full of plumbers and students taking on European champions. They see communities gathering around local heroes. They see the joy of simply being part of something global.

And by the end of that match against Bayern, even the German fans were cheering for the Kiwis. Because sometimes, the story isn’t about winning. It’s about showing up. It’s about daring to believe.

Only one regret lingered, according to one smiling fan in the stands.

“It would’ve been nice if it had been nine.”