Auckland FC are set to begin their new A-League campaign this weekend against Melbourne City, as they start the season with the defending champions tag for the first time.
The Black Knights enter the 2026/27 season with a new-look squad, as 10 players have left the club in the off-season since their 1-0 win in the Grand Final against Sydney FC.
Louis Verstraete, Dan Hall and Jesse Randall all played key roles in last season’s success but have since all found opportunities overseas.
Joining the list of departures is outgoing coach Steve Corica, who left to pursue another coaching role in Japan.
Corica helped the A-League newcomers win two pieces of silverware across two seasons, an achievement that will be tough to replicate for new coach Pedro Moreira.
Moreira has only brought in five new players ahead of the new season, with All White Lachlan Bayliss the standout signing after his breakout season with the Newcastle Jets.
The other new signings include defenders Ronan Wynne and Aaron Calver, as well as midfield depth with Daniel Normann and Marley Leuluai.
Auckland FC striker Sam Cosgrove scored 11 goals in 25 matches last season to finish as the league’s joint top scorer for the regular season.
The Englishman said he's looking forward to getting the season underway after "the longest pre-season in the world".
“I think we’ve managed to keep that core group of players together and we’ve still got winners in the squad,” said Cosgrove.
"It was a good accolade to get the golden boot last year, but I think I did myself a disservice with the amount of goals I scored.
"I’d like to get up towards 15 plus this year, and whether the actual golden boot comes again this year that's out of my control."
Cosgrove was recently approved to play in the first match of the season after his two-match suspension for a red card at the Intercontinental Cup was allowed to be served in New Zealand’s National League for the Auckland FC reserve side.
Auckland FC have a strong record in their opening matches of the season, defeating Brisbane Roar 2-1 in their first season and holding Melbourne Victory to a nil-all draw last year.
Wellington Phoenix celebrate 20th season
Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix have similarly had a significant turnover in players as they look to produce a better result than last season’s eighth-place finish.
The Phoenix have lost 14 players from last season, with coach Chris Greenacre bringing in seven new players in the off-season to try and bolster the squad.
Greenacre has brought in three import signings with Rafael Durán (Mexico), Max Anderson (Scotland) and Bryce Duke (USA) moving to play in the capital.
Durán has previous A-League experience as he scored four goals in 24 appearances for Macarthur FC last season.
Greenacre revealed that his side's pre-season hasn't been as smooth as he'd have liked.
"We've had a couple of issues, a couple of injuries here and there, a little bit of illness. There were a couple of visa issues that have never happened before, and they missed a couple of games, so it hasn't been plain sailing," said Greenacre.
"I'm happy with the squad that we've got and the boys that have stepped in. We've had a couple of academy guys step up and get some real exposure in A-League environments and against A-League opposition, which has been great for their long-term development."
Greenacre also wanted to embrace an "underdogs" tagline for the team this season.
"That's kind of how I've thrived my whole career being an underdog, and we're no different."
"We're here to make a point – we're not going to roll over and die.
We've shown last season at the end we can play an exciting brand of football and we can create chances - that's what we're going to do we'll try and entertain where we can."
Auckland FC kick off their A-League season hosting Melbourne City at Go Media Stadium on Saturday with kick-off at 5pm.
The Wellington Phoenix host Melbourne Victory at Hnry Stadium on Sunday as a throwback to their first-ever match to celebrate the club's 20th season in the A-League.
Kick-off for the men's side is at 3pm and will follow the Phoenix women's side's season opener, as they take on Melbourne City in a rematch of last season's Grand Final.
2026/27 A-League Squads
Auckland FC
Goalkeepers: Michael Woud, Oli Sail, Joseph Knowles
Defenders: Hiroki Sakai (captain), Nando Pijnaker, Francis de Vries, Callan Elliot, Ronan Wynne, Luka Vicelich, Aaron Calver
Midfielders: Cam Howieson, Felipe Gallegos, Lachlan Bayliss, Daniel Normann, Marley Leuluai, Oliver Middleton, Jake Brimmer
Attackers: Sam Cosgrove, Isa Prins, Aaron Cartwright, Logan Rogerson, Jonty Bidois, Van Fitzharris, Lachlan Brook.
Wellington Phoenix
Goalkeepers: Alby Kelly-Heald, Eamonn McCarron, Henry Gray
Defenders: Isaac Hughes, Bill Tuiloma, Matthew Sheridan, James McGarry, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Xuan Loke, Jayden Smith, Walter Scott
Midfielders: Alex Rufer (captain), Kazuki Nagasawa, Bryce Duke, Max Anderson, Fin Roa Conchie, Anaru Cassidy
Attackers: Rafael Durán, Corban Piper, Riley Bidois, Nathan Walker.
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