Auckland City will be mixing it with the big clubs of world football when they take part in next year's FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
The Navy Blues were drawn on Thursday (Friday NZ Time) with six-time European champions Bayern Munich in Group C, which also features famous Argentinian club Boca Juniors and Portugal's Benfica.
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The 2025 tournament has been expanded to 32 teams, with Auckland competing 11 previous times, with their best result a third-place in 2014.
Bayern Munich features players like Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala leading their squad, while Boca Juniors, an Argentinian powerhouse, brings a proud history of Copa Libertadores triumphs and a fervent fanbase.
Benfica is a cornerstone of European football, celebrated for historic European Cup victories and a world-class academy that consistently produces global talents.
“The draw itself is a landmark moment for Auckland City FC. It is a victory in its own right," said general manager Gordon Watson.
"It represents the culmination of 20 years of relentless hard work by everyone associated with the club to turn a dream into reality.
"Our story resonates not just with football fans but with people from all walks of life. Like them, our players juggle regular jobs, train nearly every day, and play over 50 matches a year, driven by sheer passion and commitment."
Premier League champions Manchester City were drawn with Italy's Juventus, Morocco's Wydad AC and United Arab Emirates' Al Ain in Group G.
Lionel Messi and Major League Soccer's Inter Miami are in Group A and will face Egypt's Al Ahly in the opening match before matches against Portugal's Porto and Brazil's Palmeiras.
The tournament will be held in 12 stadiums around the US from June 15-July 13 and serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.