Auckland FC vs Tottenham preview: Team news, line-ups, where to watch (26/07/2026)
Preview, team news, head-to-head, probable line-ups and where to watch Auckland FC vs Tottenham in a pre-season friendly at Eden Park
Auckland FC host Tottenham Hotspur at Eden Park on Sunday, July 26, with both sides continuing their preparations ahead of the start of their respective new campaigns.
The match is expected to attract more than 37,000 fans and could set a new record for the largest crowd ever recorded for a senior men’s football match in New Zealand.
Auckland are the reigning A-League champions after beating Sydney FC 1-0 in the Grand Final at the end of May. The New Zealand side are preparing for the start of the new Australian season, while Tottenham are building towards their Premier League opening fixture against Brentford on August 22.
Tottenham opened their pre-season with a 1-0 victory over MK Dons on Wednesday, with new signing Mateus Fernandes scoring a spectacular volley from outside the box on his debut.
Auckland FC, meanwhile, have not played a competitive match since winning the A-League Grand Final and will be looking to use the high-profile friendly as an important test ahead of the new campaign.
Latest team news
Auckland FC
Auckland are preparing for their first match since the end of their title-winning 2025-26 campaign.
The club have also recently added Lachlan Bayliss to their squad, with the former Newcastle Jets midfielder expected to make his Auckland debut against Tottenham. Bayliss was part of the Newcastle side that won the A-League title and also represented New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup.
Assistant coach Luke Casserly is currently overseeing the team following Steve Corica‘s departure to Yokohama F. Marinos, with new head coach Pedro Moreira yet to take charge.
Auckland will be able to field a strong squad for what should be the biggest match in the club’s short history.
Tottenham Hotspur
Roberto De Zerbi has named a 35-man travelling squad for Tottenham’s pre-season tour of New Zealand and Australia.
The group includes senior players such as James Maddison, Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Sandro Tonali, Conor Gallagher, and new signings Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Mateus Fernandes.
However, Tottenham will be without a number of notable players. Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Djed Spence, Marcos Senesi, Pedro Porro and Cristian Romero have been given extended leave after representing their countries at the 2026 World Cup.
Mohamed Kudus, Xavi Simons, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert remain in England as they continue their rehabilitation, while goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is also unavailable after suffering a minor knock in training.
Head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between Auckland FC and Tottenham Hotspur.
Auckland were only established in 2024, while Tottenham have never previously played a senior men’s fixture in New Zealand.
Predicted line-ups
With both managers focused on giving players valuable minutes during pre-season, starting line-ups are difficult to predict.
Tottenham are likely to rotate heavily throughout the match, although De Zerbi will want to see his new signings integrated into the team. The Italian could hand starts to Andy Robertson, Sandro Tonali, Conor Gallagher and Jan Paul van Hecke, while James Maddison and Richarlison provide plenty of experience.
Auckland, meanwhile, are expected to field a strong side in front of what could be a record crowd for a men’s football match in New Zealand.
Auckland FC predicted XI: Rojas, Hall, S. Singh, Boxall, Cacace, Bayliss, Brindell-South, Verstraete, May, Zawada, Bevan
Tottenham predicted XI: Dubravka, Gray, van Hecke, van de Ven, Robertson, Tonali, Gallagher, Maddison, Richarlison, Solanke, Tel
Key players to watch
Lachlan Bayliss (Auckland FC)
Bayliss will be one of the most interesting players to watch for Auckland on Sunday. The midfielder arrives after helping Newcastle Jets win the A-League title and has already gained valuable experience with the New Zealand national team.
Making his Auckland debut against a Premier League opponent represents a significant opportunity. Bayliss will need to help the hosts compete physically in midfield, but his energy and ability to carry the ball could make him one of Auckland’s most important players.
James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)
Maddison is likely to be one of the biggest attractions for the Tottenham supporters in Auckland. The England international brings creativity and experience to a Spurs squad that is entering a new era under De Zerbi.
With several World Cup players absent, Maddison could be asked to take on greater responsibility during the early stages of pre-season. His ability to create chances between the lines should make him a key player for Tottenham against Auckland.
Where to watch Auckland FC vs Tottenham Hotspur
The Auckland FC vs Tottenham friendly kicks off at 04:00 BST on Sunday, July 26 at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The match starts at 15:00 local time.
The match will not be broadcast on major UK television networks.
However, UK viewers can stream the game live via Tottenham’s official SPURSPLAY service. The match is also being streamed internationally through the platform.
Auckland FC vs Tottenham odds and prediction
According to the latest Auckland FC vs Tottenham odds, the Premier League side are heavy favourites to win the match at 3/13.
Auckland are priced at 8/1, while a draw is available at 19/4.
Tottenham have the stronger squad on paper and already have one pre-season match under their belts, but Auckland are the reigning A-League champions and will be playing in front of a huge home crowd.
The hosts should make the match competitive, although Spurs’ greater quality and depth should eventually tell.
Prediction: Auckland FC 1-3 Tottenham
