Club World Cup Profile: Ulsan HD

The second club from Asia that will be participating in this year’s Club World Cup is Ulsan HD. They are competing in Group F of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup alongside Fluminese, Borussia Dortmund, and Mamelodi Sundowns. The Korean Republic side opens their CWC campaign against Mamelodi Sundowns at Inter&Co Stadium on June 17 at 6:00 PM ET.

Route to Qualification:

Ulsan HD received qualification in the Club World Cup via the AFC ranking pathway. The club’s qualification for the Club World Cup was possible because of the club’s success over the four year period of 2021-2024 in the AFC Champions League as they made it to the semifinals in the 2020-21 and 2023-24 editions of the tournament. The club’s participation in the Club World Cup was confirmed after a 1-0 win against Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of the 2023-24 AFC Champions League semi-final.

Historical Facts:

1983: The club was founded as Hyundai Horang-i FC. This is the same year that the K League started.

1995: Ulsan won its first championship, the adidas (K League) cup.

1996: Won their first K League title after a 3-2 aggregate win over Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the championship playoffs. The club would go on to win four more K League titles in 2005, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

2007: First ever Korean League Cup in 2007 after 2-1 win over FC Seoul in the final. Ulsan added another Korean League Cup to their trophy cabinet just four years later.

2012: Ulsan won the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in their history after a 3-0 win over Al-Ahli. Kwak Tae-Hwi, Rafinha, and Kim Seung-Yong were the goalscorers. The club would win the title once again eight years later.

2017: First ever Korea Cup after a 2-1 aggregate win over Busan IPark in the final. Kim Seung-Jun and Lee Jong-ho were the goalscorers.

Kim Young-gwon (courtesy of FIFA)

Most Important Player: Kim Young-gwon

The veteran center back joined the Tigers in 2022 and has made over 100 appearances for the club. His arrival coincided with the first of three straight league championships. For the South Korean national national team, he has played in the last three World Cups, scoring in the last two. “As a team, we are aiming to get past the group stage. I think our team knows better than anyone

how difficult it is to advance to the round of 16 and what each player needs to do.”

Potential Breakout Player: Myeon-kwan Seo

Myeon-kwan Seo is a potential breakout player for Ulsan to watch during the 2025 Club World Cup. The 22 year old South Korean international defender is seen as an aggressive defender that is agile, strong in 1v1 positions, a good passer who can break lines, and positionally steady.

Season Outlook:

Ulsan FC’s season is still in play as the K League started in February. The club is currently in third place in the league, just three points below first place Daejeon Hana. The Tigers are currently unbeaten in their last five matches, with two more matches before they head to the Club World Cup. Their final match in league play before heading to the U.S. is against 1st place Jeonbuk Hyundai on Saturday, May 31. Ulsan will aim to win their fourth consecutive K League title this season.