Club World Cup: The Summer Flagship Is Here – Whether We Like It Or Not!

Bayern Munich vs Auckland City

So here it is: the inaugural Club World Cup.

Some SBOTOP readers will know my views about this newfangled competition – an invitational tournament which is being staged at a time when leading players should be having a break.

Is it a trophy worth winning? Well, it hardly constitutes a major trophy, despite the protestations of FIFA president Gianni Infantino who is clearly keen on getting some club power back from UEFA with this summer flagship.

From a sporting perspective, it was telling that none of the major TV companies decided to buy the broadcasting rights.

It was also telling that Real Madrid had to hurriedly confirm they would be participating 12 months ago, 24 hours after then manager Carlo Ancelotti said he had little desire to take part.

It is though, financially worthwhile, and the winners of the tournament, to be played in 11 cities across the United States, will earn a very lucrative payday indeed.

That is the reality as German champions and European heavyweights Bayern Munich prepare to take on New Zealand minnows Auckland City.

Talking Points

To put this into context, many of the part-timers who play for the Group C minnows have had to take time off work just to make the trip to the US where expectations are, unsurprisingly, very low.

So much for this being a tournament comprising the world’s best!

Auckland are something of a powerhouse in their region mind and, with dominant success in the Oceania Football Confederation, they were awarded a place as the highest-ranked club in the OFC’s top club competition from 2022-2024.

Auckland City gear up for their 12th appearance at the Club World Cup — Angus Kilkolly and New Zealand underdogs Auckland City confront a daunting challenge in the USA

In both footballing and financial terms, it’s a whole new galaxy and they know it.

‘It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against some of the best in the world,’ said captain Mario Ilich. ‘We’ve been to Club World Cup’s before but with this new format and being put with three powerhouse teams is something we can’t wait for.’

Boca Juniors and Benfica are the other sides in their group.

Notably, the club will be without their head coach Paul Posa, who is unavailable for the build-up to the tournament due to personal circumstances.

Bayern, fresh from a dominant Bundesliga success, will strongly expect to deliver World Club Championship 2025 highlights.

I was rather surprised Leroy Sane left this week.

Bayern had included the 70-capped German international in their 29-man squad for the Club World Cup and were reportedly keen on keeping the winger but Sane rejected the offer of a contract extension.

He joined Bayern on a five-year deal from Manchester City in 2020 but has now signed a three year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray, although bizarrely, with his contract beginning on July 1, he could still represent the Bavarians in the group stage and potentially round of 16.

They have though strengthened their squad with two early summer signings: Jonathan Tah from Bayer Leverkusen and Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim. Both newcomers are eligible and included in the squad.

And, of course, they are hoping to give Thomas Muller a winning farewell and, in England captain Harry Kane, have a player who is lethal in the final third, recently winning the Bundesliga Golden Boot with 26 league goals and eight assists.

By contrast, Auckland City are an amateur club, with players receiving only a modest weekly allowance of around $90 for basic expenses.

The New Zealanders have already been in the US for more than a week and have been based in the northeast of the country, playing warm-up matches against Philadelphia Union (2-0 win) and Al Ain (1-0 loss), before moving to their basecamp in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The excitement within the squad is understandable as they prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime experience but the Navy Blues know they need to play the game of their lives if they are to avoid defeat against such established opposition.