The amateur New Zealand club with Croatian roots to take on giants at FIFA Club World Cup

by croatiaweek
June 14, 2025
in Sport

Auckland City FC (Photo credit: Phototek)

An amateur football club from New Zealand with deep Croatian roots is set to take on some of the world’s biggest footballing names at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Auckland City FC, based in New Zealand’s largest city, may be amateur, but the club has become a dominant force in the Oceania region and a regular name at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Now, they are about to share the pitch with some of the world’s biggest clubs such as Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Boca Juniors.

From Croatian migrant beginnings

The story of Auckland City begins with Central United FC, a club founded in 1962 by Croatian migrants, many from Dalmatia. Central United’s badge proudly features the iconic red and white Croatian checks.

The club has enjoyed notable domestic success, lifting six league titles and five Chatham Cups – New Zealand’s version of the FA Cup.

Out of this strong foundation, Auckland City FC was formed in 2004 when a new national league structure was introduced.

Since then, Auckland City FC has won nine New Zealand Football Championships and a thirteen OFC Champions League titles.

They have also made regular appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup, with their crowning moment coming in 2014 when they finished in third place.

Croatian connections

Croatian heritage continues to run through the veins of Auckland City. The club’s long-serving president, Ivan Vuksich, is of Croatian descent, as are many of the club’s committee members.

President Ivan Vuksich (Photo credit: Phototek)

The Croatian presence extends to the pitch and sidelines as well.

Former New Zealand international and the country’s most-capped player, Ivan Vicelich, who once played for both Central United and Auckland City, is now part of the coaching staff.

Ivan Vicelich (Photo credit: Phototek)

Joining him are head coach Paul Poša, club captain Mario Ilich, and defender Adam Mitchell – all of whom share Croatian roots.

Paul Poša (Photo credit: Phototek)

Auckland City even train and play some of their matches at the Croatian Club in Auckland.

Former New Zealand internationals with Croatian backgrounds – Chris Zoricich, Paul Urlovic, and Vicelich himself – also played key roles in Central United’s history.

Urlovic and Vicelich later became key players for Auckland City as well.

David Vlatkovich Stand at their Kiwitea Street home (Photo credit: Phototek)

What makes Auckland City’s story even more remarkable is their amateur status. While their opponents in the US are fully professional and feature some of the world’s top talent on millions of pounds, Auckland City’s players work or study full-time.