A-League’s Kiwi Rivals Axed from Australia Cup: “Priority is the $10M Club World Cup,” Says Auckland FC

By Lions Roar Aotearoa Sports Desk

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (Thursday, January 29, 2026) — The pre-season landscape for New Zealand’s professional football clubs has shifted dramatically following Football Australia’s decision to exclude Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix from the revamped Australia Cup.

While being “kicked out” of a major knockout competition might normally cause an uproar, Auckland FC management says they won’t be “losing any sleep,” citing the massive financial lure of FIFA competitions over the Australian domestic cup.

💸 The Price of Participation

Both Kiwi clubs highlighted that the Australia Cup—which pits amateur sides against A-League pros—was becoming a logistical and financial burden.

High Costs: Traveling to Australia for every knockout round proved expensive.
Planning Chaos: Because matchups are only known a week in advance, planning a structured pre-season was nearly impossible.
The “Australia” Factor: Football Australia’s move is seen as an attempt to keep the competition strictly domestic, while also acknowledging the Kiwis’ shift toward Oceania-based pathways.

📈 Why Auckland FC is “Excited” to be Left Out

Auckland FC CEO Nick Becker was blunt about the club’s priorities, comparing the Australia Cup’s modest prize pool to the staggering wealth available via the OFC Pro League.

Competition	Estimated Prize Money (NZD/AUD)	Global Opportunity
Australia Cup	~$27,000 (AUD 25k)	None
FIFA Intercontinental Cup	~$1.6 Million	Annual Global Stage
FIFA Club World Cup	~$11 Million+	Quadrennial Mega-Event

“If you win Australia Cup, you get $25,000. If you go to the Intercontinental Cup, it’s more like $1.5 million. The Club World Cup is a $10 million-plus payday,” Becker stated. “We know where our priorities lie.”

⚽ New Pre-Season Horizons

Without the Australia Cup cluttering the calendar from July to October, both clubs are looking to take control of their own schedules.

Premier League Tours: Auckland FC is exploring matches against high-profile English Premier League teams touring the region.
Homegrown Tournaments: Plans are underway to create “mini-tournaments” in New Zealand, allowing local fans to see more pre-season action on home soil.
OFC Focus: Auckland will double down on the OFC Pro League, viewing it as the golden ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup.

🤝 The Phoenix Stance

The Wellington Phoenix shared similar sentiments, noting that the Cup often disrupted their integration of new signings and academy prospects. By opting out, the Phoenix can now focus on more stable, scheduled friendlies that better prepare the squad for the A-League season opener.