From Underdogs to Flag Bearers: Dortmund Carry MSport’s Fire into the Club World Cup

Mark your calendars. Here’s when it all kicks off;

1. Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

2. League: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 

3. Founded: 1902 

4. Manager: Mano Menezes 

5. Official Number of Trophies: Over 46 

6. Star Player: Thiago Silva 

7. 2025 Série A Record: 6W-2D-3L 

8. Players to Watch: Jhon Arias & Ganso 

9. How They Qualified: Champions of the 2023 Copa Libertadores 

1. Location: Pretoria, South Africa 

2. League: South African Premier Division 

3. Founded: 1970 

4. Manager: Miguel Cardoso 

5. Official Number of Trophies: 35 

6.  Star Player: Ronwen Williams 

7. 2025 League Record: 24W-1D-3L 

8. Players to Watch: Teboho Mokoena & Lucas Ribeiro 

9. How They Qualified: Via the CAF ranking pathway. 

1. Location: Ulsan, South Korea 

2. League: K League 1 

3. Founded: 1983 

4.  Manager: Kim Pan-gon 

5. Official Number of Trophies: 15 

6. Star Player: Um Won-sang 

7. 2025 K League Record: Champions 

8. Players to Watch: Erick Farias & Dojanic 

9. How They Qualified: Via AFC ranking pathway 

1️⃣ Fluminense vs Borussia Dortmund: Samba Meets German Edge 🟢🟡;

Dortmund’s Club World Cup journey begins against Brazil’s Fluminense — a team rich in flair, control, and South American swagger. This isn’t a match of styles — it’s a test of identity. Dortmund will line up in a 3-4-2-1, while Fluminense operate in a disciplined 4-2-3-1. Expect a slower tempo from the Brazilians (1.4 goals per game, 56% possession), while Dortmund’s aggressive transitions and wing play could pose real problems. Kovac’s side scored 71 league goals this season (2.1 per match), and if they can press high and break Fluminense’s rhythm, they’ll have the upper hand. 

💰 Prediction: Over 2.5 goals at 1.69 odds on MSport. 

2️⃣ Mamelodi Sundowns vs Borussia Dortmund: Africa’s Iron Meets Blitz 🟡🟡; 

This is Dortmund’s toughest group-stage fixture. Mamelodi Sundowns don’t just defend — they suffocate. 17 clean sheets. 0.5 goals conceded per game. Africa’s most tactically evolved club will force Dortmund to work for every inch. Both teams set up in fluid formations — Dortmund in a 3-4-2-1, Sundowns in a structured 4-2-3-1. Kovac’s side will try to dominate territory, but they’ll need to stay compact to avoid Sundowns’ vertical counters. 

💰 Prediction: Dortmund W/D at 1.30 odds on MSport. 

3️⃣ Borussia Dortmund vs Ulsan HD: Precision vs Pressure 🟡🔵;

Dortmund’s final group game is against Asia’s pressing machine. Ulsan HD press with intensity (18.8 tackles per match) and hold 60% of the ball. But they score just 1.2 goals per game — a clear weakness. Expect Kovac to rotate slightly but stick to the familiar shape. With 2.1 goals per game, Dortmund will look to stretch Ulsan’s backline early and pin them deep. 

💰 Prediction: Dortmund win at 1.34 odds on MSport.