Maybe yes NZF consulted the clubs, and if Stage Two is like a 2 week tourney somewhere in the Islands, and they decided Auckland City with it's semi pro brigade, is the best equipped to win, and bring the CWC appearance money back to all the clubs??
Then presumably from 2023 onwards the OFC Champions League returns to a normalish format, with H&A knockout ties, as it mostly was pre Covid?? So the top 2 NZ clubs in 2022 get a crack at it?? Of course if Infantino gets his way the CWC will switch to a 32 club, 4 yearly setup anyway or similar.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/next-stage-unveiled-in-battle-for-oceania-club-supremacy/
June will see the return of Oceania’s flagship club football competition, the OFC Champions League, which will decide who represents the region at the 2022 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
Then presumably from 2023 onwards the OFC Champions League returns to a normalish format, with H&A knockout ties, as it mostly was pre Covid?? So the top 2 NZ clubs in 2022 get a crack at it?? Of course if Infantino gets his way the CWC will switch to a 32 club, 4 yearly setup anyway or similar.
https://www.oceaniafootball.com/next-stage-unveiled-in-battle-for-oceania-club-supremacy/
June will see the return of Oceania’s flagship club football competition, the OFC Champions League, which will decide who represents the region at the 2022 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
The revised competition format, which was adapted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce travel requirements on teams, is split into two phases.
Stage one will determine which clubs contest stage two, which will be an eight-team centralised finals tournament scheduled for August this year.
New Zealand Football has already selected Auckland City FC as their representative for the finals tournament.
New Zealand Football has already selected Auckland City FC as their representative for the finals tournament.