Auckland City FC face African champions Pyramids FC in a do-or-die clash on Sunday, 14 September, at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium, with a win needed to keep their FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025™ campaign alive.
The winner moves on to face Asia’s top club, Al Ahli FC, in Jeddah on 23 September, with a shot at the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup and a place in the next phase of the tournament.
Auckland City FC arrived in Egypt after a week in the Middle East, capped by a 1–0 friendly loss to Andrea Pirlo’s FC United in Dubai. The focus was on giving players game time and adapting to the conditions.
Captain Mario Ilich said the outing achieved exactly what the squad needed.
“Really happy everyone got minutes under the legs. FC United are a good side, and obviously Coach Pirlo is one of the greats. Pretty cool to play against a team led by someone like him.” said Ilich.
“It’s very, very hot. Very different to the New Zealand winter, that’s for sure.”
“But the boys are adapting well. It was a good head out tonight, that’s what we wanted. A good sweat up and good preparation for Sunday. We’re used to being on the front foot back home. Coming up against these big teams is what it’s all about. We love playing in big games and big occasions.”
Pyramids FC, winners of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League, have quickly become one of Africa’s most formidable sides since their formation in 2018.
Hosting the playoff gives them the advantage of local support, while Auckland City FC are tasked with proving Oceania’s champions belong on the global stage.
Sunday’s match is the first step in a pathway that could see Auckland City FC progress to the second round in Jeddah, then into December’s FIFA Intercontinental Cup™ phase which includes matches against the champions of the Americas and a potential showdown with Paris Saint-Germain in the final.
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek
Kick-off is set for Sunday 14th September 9:00PM local time (Monday 15th September 6:00AM New Zealand time)
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