Auckland FC (OFC Professional League)

Auckland FC (OFC Professional League)
Full nameAuckland Football Club
Founded29 October 2025 (29 October 2025)
GroundEden Park
North Harbour Stadium
Owner(s)Black Knight Football and Entertainment
ChairmanBill Foley
Head CoachLuke Casserly
LeagueOFC Professional League
Websiteaucklandfc.co.nz

Auckland Football Club (OFC Professional League) is a football team based in Auckland, New Zealand. They currently serve as the OFC Professional League side of the Auckland FC of the A-League and compete in the OFC Professional League.

History

In 2019, the Oceania Football Confederation announced they were planning to form the OFC Professional League, the first professional football league in Oceania.[1] In March 2025, Auckland FC chief executive Nick Becker confirmed the club were one of 6 New Zealand clubs to express interest in competing.[2] On 29 October 2025, Auckland FC were confirmed as one of the eight sides selected to compete in the inaugural OFC Pro League season.[3][4]

Luke Casserly was revealed as the inaugural head coach on 1 December 2025.[5] Auckland FC revealed their first players on 14 February 2024.[6] Auckland FC (OFC Professional League) played their first ever competitive match on 17 January 2026 in a OFC Pro League fixture at Eden Park against South Island United, the first North v South Derby.[7] Oscar Faulds scored the club's first ever goal as they went on to win their first match 3–0. Bailey Ferguson and Liam Gillion were the other scorers in their inaugural match.[8][9]

Players

OFC squad

As of 17 January 2026[10]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  NZL Oscar Mason
2 MF  NZL Aidan Carey
3 DF  AUS Tass Mourdoukoutas (captain)
5 DF  NZL Michael den Heijer
6 MF  NOR Daniel Normann
7 DF  USA Jonathan Robinson
8 MF  AUS James Bayliss
11 FW  NZL Oscar Faulds
12 MF  NZL Isa Prins
13 DF  NZL Nathan Lobo
14 FW  NZL Liam Gillion
17 MF  NZL Reid Drake
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 FW  ARG Emiliano Tade
21 FW  NZL Matt Ellis
23 DF  NZL Ronan Wynne
24 DF  NZL Zac Zoricich
25 DF  NZL Luka Vicelich
28 FW  AUS Bailey Ferguson
29 FW  NZL Kian Donkers
32 DF  NZL Everton O'Leary
37 FW  NZL Ralph Rutherford
40 GK  NZL Blake Callinan
41 FW  NZL Aston Burns
50 GK  NZL Eli Jones

Other players with OFC appearances

Includes players to have been featured in an OFC matchday squad for Auckland FC. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
18 MF  NZL Finn McKenlay
47 MF  NZL Dejaun Naidoo
57 FW  NZL Van Fitzharris
58 MF  NZL Nathan Martin

Coaching staff

Technical officials

Position Name Ref.
Head Coach Luke Casserly [11]
Assistant Coach Emiliano Tade [12]

Season by season record

OFC Professional League

OFC Professional League results
Season Round Club Home Away Position
2026 Circuit series South Island United 3–0
Vanuatu United 3–1 0–0
Bula FC 1–0
PNG Hekari 2–0
Tahiti United 1–0 4–0
Solomon Kings 1–3 1–0
South Melbourne 1–1

See also

References

  1. ^ Ewart, Richard (December 2022). "OFC Pro League could feature composite Pacific island teams and marquee players from overseas". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. ^ Smith, Tony (5 March 2025). "Auckland FC, Nelson Suburbs among Kiwi football clubs to express interest in Oceania League". The Press. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  3. ^ "OFC Pro League teams confirmed". Oceania Football Confederation. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  4. ^ Tora, Iliesa (31 October 2025). "Oceania prepares for football 'revolution' with official launch of first-ever professional league". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  5. ^ "Luke Casserly Named AFC Pro League Head Coach". Auckland FC. 1 December 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Auckland FC Announce First Five OFC Pro League Players". Auckland FC. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  7. ^ "Auckland FC make a winning start in the derby". OFC Pro League. 17 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  8. ^ "Auckland FC v South Island United". Oceania Football Confederation. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  9. ^ "Strong finish earns Auckland FC emphatic win in OFC Pro League opener". friendsoffootballnz.com. 18 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Auckland FC OFC Squad". Auckland FC. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  11. ^ Burgess, Michael (22 March 2024). "Ex-Football Australia head of national performance Luke Casserly lured to New Zealand". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Auckland FC Announce First Five OFC Pro League Players". Auckland FC. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.