Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany says his side are fully focused on the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the Bundesliga champions are aiming to claim another major honour on the global stage.
Kompany, who has Congolese heritage, guided Bayern to the German title in his first season in charge and now leads them into Group C of the expanded 32-team tournament.
The Bavarians will face Auckland City, Boca Juniors and Benfica in what promises to be a high-profile test of their continental pedigree.
Despite uncertainty surrounding the competition’s new format and timing, Kompany made it clear that Bayern intend to treat the tournament with the utmost seriousness.
“The closer we get to the tournament, the more you can see the excitement grow,” Kompany said. “I think we’re part of a club here with Bayern Munich, where every trophy is important, so by the time we get to America, it will be a priority.”
He is particularly keen on the opportunity to test his side against non-European opposition. He highlighted the unique appeal of facing Argentina’s Boca Juniors, a club steeped in history and known for its passionate supporters.
“If I can name a benefit of it, it is to play in a competitive game against Boca Juniors,” he said. “That in itself is something exciting to see; some of the best fanbases in the world — ours and theirs — and some of the most traditionally successful clubs in the world — come up against each other.”
With fixtures spread across multiple U.S. cities, Kompany expects Bayern’s presence to resonate beyond their traditional European fanbase.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the club, not just to our fans, but also to people who might become future fans,” he added.
