Auckland City's Nathan Lobo in action during the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Auckland City are set to face a World Cup winner and a multiple Champions League winner in their opening game at the FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning.
Making their eleventh appearance at the tournament Auckland City take on home side Al-Ittihad who are likely to feature two former French stars.
Striker Karim Benzama, who won the Champions League five times with Real Madrid, has recovered from injury and is expected to play.
Fellow Frenchman and 2018 World Cup winner N'Golo Kante is also likely to start in the midfield for the Saudi side.
Auckland, who finished third in 2014, know what awaits them.
Auckland City's Ryan De Vries during training ahead of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"They've brought in some world-class players, some of the best in the world," midfielder Cameron Howieson told FIFA.
"It will be very challenging. Sometimes when you mix the best players in the world, it doesn't gel, but I've been watching their games and it has gelled."
Al Ittihad's Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe expects to be challenged by the New Zealand side.
"Any game in the Club World Cup is always very tough."
"The first game always has the nervousness factor too. It's one game only, a knockout match, you need to win to stay alive in the competition. We know Auckland will be tough to beat."
In recent years many of the world's top players have been attracted to the lucrative Saudi Pro League, with Benzama reported to earn $353 million and Kante $172 million.
Neymar and Ronaldo also play there.
The Saudi Pro League spent $1.5 billion on signing top players in 2023.
Auckland City has a full squad to choose from and if Emiliano Tade plays he will equal the record of 12 Club World Cup appearances.
Auckland City's 11th appearance at the tournament is the most by any club.
The winner of the Al-Ittihad-Auckland City game will earn a second-round tie against Egypt's Al Ahly, who are the current African champions.
