Soccer: Auckland's Club World Cup pay day to be felt far and wide

Auckland City have always been regarded as the richest NZFC club in the country and their coffers will swell by almost $1 million from their slice of the money they won at last week's Club World Cup.

Auckland City surprised everyone by finishing fifth at the tournament after wins over Abu Dhabi side Al Ahli (2-0) and African champions TP Mazembe (3-2).

No other New Zealand side had won a game at the Club World Cup in four years of trying and it earned the round-ball code in this country US$1.5 million ($2.11 million).

All eight NZFC franchises will cash in on the financial windfall, as well as New Zealand Football, but Auckland City will receive the biggest share.

"It's just reward for the hard work for many people in our club," Auckland coach Paul Posa said, "but also for many clubs in New Zealand as they have been pushing us and we have been pushing them."

A formula was worked out prior to the tournament's kickoff. The first US$500,000 ($703,000) of the prize money was split nine ways, with the other seven franchises receiving seven per cent, NZF 10 per cent and Auckland City the rest.

Agreement was then reached on any prize money won above that, with Auckland City receiving a larger share of that.

The seven franchises received three per cent of the additional winnings, Auckland City 50 per cent and NZF the rest (29 per cent).

It's not just the club who can expect a healthy cheque. The players will divvy up 40 per cent of the club's overall winnings.

It rounds off a good year for goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley and defender James Pritchett but an even better one for skipper Ivan Vicelich.

All three will receive significant payouts for their part in helping the All Whites qualify for June's World Cup - the 34 players used in qualification will receive 40 per cent of an estimated $10 million.

Vicelich had returned to New Zealand to play part-time football after 10 years as a professional both in New Zealand and the Netherlands.

He had already guaranteed himself in the region of $150,000 for his All Whites exploits and now stands to earn about $22,000 from the Club World Cup.

Auckland's success might also encourage more entries into the NZFC.

The national body has undertaken an extensive review of the competition and decided the franchise system is the best format. They are expected to invite applications and could increase the number of teams in the league from eight to 10.

A team from south Auckland is likely and there is impetus for a Wellington Phoenix reserves team to enter the fray.