Ulsan HD are the K-League's sole representative at the Club World Cup – can they make an impact?
Ulsan HD have dubbed themselves the Pride of Asia ahead of their third trip to the Club World Cup, and with good reason. The club is a two-time winner of the Asian Champions League and has won the K-League 1 five times. For a team that was founded more than 40 years ago, it's a strong track record.
While South Korea's top flight doesn't get much visibility outside of Asia, it consistently develops top-notch talent who go on to play for some of Europe's top leagues. And with the South Korea men's national team being No. 23 in FIFA's world ranking, the country's domestic league plays a big role in that. There aren't many household names on Ulsan, but that could very much change in this year's revamped Club World Cup.
Ulsan HD promise to be formidable and could surprise soccer fans. They could hold their own in a group that features Dortmund, Flamengo and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.
Next up is Ulsan HD, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for the Korea Republic side at the tournament.
Getty Images SportThe basics
DOMESTIC LEAGUE: K League 1
CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: 2012, 2020
GROUP: F (Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns, Ulsan HD, Borussia Dortmund)
OPENING MATCH: Mamelodi Sundowns – June 17, 6 p.m. ET, Orlando
AdvertisementAFPHow they got here
Ulsan secured their spot in the Club World Cup through the AFC ranking pathway, thanks to a strong run of performances in the AFC Champions League between 2021 and 2024. The club reached the semifinals twice during that stretch, in the 2020-21 and 2023-24 tournaments.
Their place was officially sealed in April, when they earned a 1-0 home victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of the 2023-24 Champions League semifinals.
AFPThe player to watch
Goalkeeper Jo Hyeonwoo is arguably Ulsan HD's most accomplished player, joining in 2020. He is South Korea's No. 1 goalkeeper on the national team and helped his club break a 15-year title drought to win three league titles since his arrival.
Global soccer fans will remember his brilliance in 2018 at the Russia World Cup, where he made a stunning save on Swedish striker Marcus Berg and he played a key role in knocking Germany out of the tournament.
Another name to watch is Heo Yool, 24, who currently leads Ulsan in scoring with three goals in the K-League.
Getty Images SportRealistic expectations
Ulsan HD's tournament opener against Mamelodi Sundowns is pivotal and could determine their entire fate in the summer event. If they win, then they could sneak past Flamengo – or even a draw could be sufficient. Beating Dortmund is a tall task, but not unfathomable considering the German team's struggles this season.