Meet the amateur New Zealand team aiming to topple soccer’s biggest names at the FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA’s revamped expanded Club World Cup kicks off on Saturday and most fans’ eyes will be firmly fixed on the plethora of soccer superstars competing for up to $125 million, but look closer and you’ll see a team of amateurs on the pitch too.

As FIFA’s revamped expanded Club World Cup kicks off in the United States on Saturday, most fans’ eyes will be firmly fixed on the plethora of soccer superstars competing for up to $125 million, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland all taking part with their respective clubs. However, the remarkable story of amateur side Auckland City FC has flown under the radar, with the Oceania team’s players set to embark on the trip of a lifetime to test themselves against some of the world’s elite. Based in the North Shore suburb of New Zealand’s largest city, the club boasts a squad comprised solely of players who work or study full-time in addition to their soccer careers. From forklift drivers to soda salesmen and real estate agents, the rise of the small New Zealand side to the apex of the global club game has been likened by some to the narrative of a Hollywood script. Having been crowned as the Oceania Champions League winner last year, Auckland City booked its place at the tournament and became the continent’s sole representative in the process. Drawn in a group featuring 34-time German champion Bayern Munich, Portuguese giant Benfica, and iconic Argentine side Boca Juniors, the Auckland City squad will look to create soccer history as they compete against some of the sport’s greatest players over the next fortnight.