🌎 The Club World Cup guide to...Borussia Dortmund | OneFootball

Our guide to all 32 clubs participating at the FIFA Club World Cup continues.

Today we're looking at...Borussia Dortmund.

How did they qualify for the Club World Cup?

Borussia Dortmund secured their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup through UEFA’s four-year ranking system, which evaluates club performances in European competitions from 2021 to 2024.

Their consistent showings, including a Champions League final appearance in 2024, placed them among Europe’s top 12 clubs. Their qualification was confirmed when RB Leipzig failed to surpass them in the rankings after a Champions League exit in March 2024.

History at the Club World Cup

📸 Christof Koepsel - 2025 Getty Images

This tournament marks Dortmund’s debut in the Club World Cup. However, they do have international pedigree, having won the Intercontinental Cup in 1997 - a predecessor to the Club World Cup - against Cruzeiro.

How did they perform in the 2024/25 season?

The arrival of Niko Kovač as coach saved Dortmund's season with the Schwarzgelben eventually finishing fourth in the Bundesliga. In the Champions League though, the German giants were bested by Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

Who is the coach?

📸 Alex Grimm - 2025 Getty Images

Dortmund are managed by former Croatia international Niko Kovač, who signed a contract until June 2026. He replaced Nuri Şahin following a series of poor results earlier last season. Kovač brings experience from previous roles at Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Wolfsburg, and Monaco.

Who is their star player?

Striker Serhou Guirassy has been a standout performer for Dortmund. Since joining from Stuttgart in 2024, he has become Dortmund’s all-time top scorer in a single Champions League campaign, netting 13 goals, including a hat-trick against Barcelona in the quarter-finals.

Expected performance at the Club World Cup

Dortmund enter the Club World Cup as a strong contender, especially with Guirassy leading the attack. However, injuries to key players like defender Nico Schlotterbeck and veteran Emre Can, could derail their campaign.

📸 Markus Gilliar - 2025 Getty Images