Coming from Pot 2, Borussia Dortmund is the European representative in the group, qualifying thanks to its position in the UEFA rankings. The Germans will be the Brazilian opponents in their first match.
The Ulsan Hyundai, on the other hand, came from Pot 3, representing Asia due to its ranking in the Asian Football Confederation.
Lastly, Mamelodi Sundowns completes the group coming from Pot 4, having qualified through the African FIFA ranking.
The inaugural Club World Cup will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
Currently sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, Dortmund is not experiencing the best of times. However, the team recently reached the final of the last Champions League, finishing as runners-up to Real Madrid. Brazilian Yan Couto is part of the yellow-black squad.
Ulsan, from South Korea, qualified for the World Cup through the Asian Football Confederation rankings. Although they have not won the continental tournament in the last four years, they have had strong campaigns between 2021 and 2023. The club is relatively new on the global stage, similar to several teams in the K-League, South Korea’s football league. Founded in 1983, over four decades ago, it has made history abroad by winning the AFC Champions League in 2012 and 2020. The current squad includes Brazilians Matheus Sales, former Palmeiras player, and Yago Cariello.
Mamelodi Sundowns secured their place in the Club World Cup due to the CAF ranking. Recently, the team finished as runners-up in the South African League Cup and is currently in 2nd place in Group B of this season’s CAF Champions League. The Sundowns current squad features Brazilian forwards Lucas Ribeiro and Arthur Sales.
Belgium
