Borussia Dortmund face Ulsan Hyundai in their final FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group-stage match on Wednesday, June 26, at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. BVB sit second in the group with four points and must avoid defeat to secure a place in the Round of 16, while Ulsan are already out of contention after two losses.
Dortmund’s qualification isn’t guaranteed, as Mamelodi Sundowns—just one point behind—could overtake them with a win over group leaders Fluminense. Niko Kovac’s side is in strong form, unbeaten in nine games and having scored 24 goals in their last eight, but defensive frailties remain a concern.
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BVB One Step Away from Round of 16 — But It’s Not Over Yet
Borussia Dortmund must dodge a final-match upset to confirm their Round of 16 place when they take on already-eliminated Ulsan Hyundai at the TQL Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite sitting second in the group with four points, BVB’s fate remains partially tied to the outcome of Mamelodi Sundowns’ clash against leaders Fluminense. This fixture isn’t a dead rubber — it’s a trapdoor.
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Preview: Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪 v 🇰🇷 Ulsan HD – prediction, team news, lineups#FIFAClubWorldCup #FIFACWC #BVB #UlsanHDhttps://t.co/joOpLgcDKe pic.twitter.com/ytF61ojjYt
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[UPDATE] Dortmund’s Attack is on Fire, but Can They Quell Their Defensive Leaks?
Dortmund may be firing on all cylinders up front, but defensively, they’re dancing on a tightrope with no net. Their 4-3 thriller over Mamelodi Sundowns exposed vulnerabilities, especially in the second half, where they faced ten shots while offering only three.
Yes, you heard that right — a team aiming to go deep in the Club World Cup was nearly outgunned by the South African champions despite holding a first-half cushion. Conceding 16 goals in their last 10 games doesn’t scream title contenders.
Yet, their form line does: 7 wins from 8, unbeaten in 9. Niko Kovac’s men have scored 24 times in those eight fixtures, making them one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the tournament.
Serhou Guirassy and young Jobe Bellingham will again be key to unlocking Ulsan’s porous backline.
Ulsan Out But Not Quiet — Don’t Count Them Out Just Yet
Ulsan Hyundai, bottom of the group and out of contention, are not arriving in Cincinnati for a vacation. They led Fluminense 2-1 at halftime in their last game — yes, the same Fluminense that leads the group — only to unravel in the second half without creating a single big chance.
Their current domestic struggles mirror their Club World Cup journey: no wins in four, three straight defeats, and 11 goals conceded in five matches. It’s been a slow-motion collapse for a team that was once K League 1’s proud champions.
According to reports, coach Pan-gon Kim will likely reshuffle, possibly introducing Matias Lacava in the frontline due to an injury to Won-Sang Um. With a midfield core of Ko, Bojanic, and Lee, they’ll try to disrupt Dortmund’s rhythm early.
Projected Lineups — Who Starts at TQL Stadium?
| Borussia Dortmund | Ulsan Hyundai |
| Kobel | Jo |
| Sule, Anton, Bensebaini | Trojak, Kim, Jung |
| Couto, Nmecha, Gross, Svensson | Kang, Ko, Bojanic, Lee, Ludwigson |
| Bellingham, Brandt | Lacava, Farias |
| Guirassy |
Injuries to Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck continue to limit BVB’s options at the back, but Niklas Sule and Ramy Bensebaini are expected to hold the line. Kovac might stick to a fluid 3-4-2-1, giving Bellingham license to roam and create chaos.
Amit Mishra’s Commentary
Positives:
- Dortmund’s attack is electric — 24 goals in 8 matches is no joke.
- Tactical flexibility is working; Kovac’s 3-4-2-1 setup looks increasingly polished.
Negatives:
- The defence is still weak. Letting other teams come back in games is happening too often.
- Getting qualified isn’t guaranteed — a mistake here could lead to big problems.
As a writer and die-hard football journalist and enthusiast, Dortmund’s journey feels like a rollercoaster speeding toward a loop. Their firepower could torch any defence, but unless they fix the leaks at the back, they risk imploding under pressure.
Ulsan may be out, but they’re not harmless — their first-half burst against Fluminense proves they can sting. This isn’t just a group-stage finale — it’s a test of nerve, balance, and ambition.
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