Borussia Dortmund's bumpy and windy road to the FIFA Club World Cup

Predicting who will win the FIFA Club World Cup right now, or even come June 14 when the tournament kicks-off, feels like an impossible task.

Firstly, you have 32 clubs, the best from each continent. Secondly, you have to consider the timing of the competition. Some clubs head to the USA having completed their domestic chores. Others are only a quarter or midway through their current campaign.

Then you have to take in form. Some teams will be entering the redesigned tournament, live on DAZN, on the crest of a wave, having already won trophies this season. Others will have stuttered and failed to achieve their targets, but should be written off at your peril.

• Read next | Borussia Dortmund team guide: History, trophies won and notable former players

Then you have a team like Borussia Dortmund. One of Europe's biggest clubs, an incredible fanbase, and a club that has always been position as everyone's favourite underdog. 

'Die Schwarzgelben' have been known for crashing parties and causing big upsets in European football for years. However that doesn't always mean they get over the finish line and actually add more trophies to their cabinet.

In fact, the 2024 Champions League finalists have not won a trophy since claiming the DFB-Pokal back in 2021.

 

Then, in November 2024 things got worse.

After a 3-1 defeat to Mainz, under the leadership of Nuri Sahin the team officially had their worst start to a Bundesliga season in a decade, only collecting 16 points from their first 10 matches.

However, since the turn of the year the club has been renewed, finding new form and confidence that looks set to make them a true force in the Club World Cup.

DAZN News takes a look at how they got to this point.

Nuri Sahin's takes over Dortmund after Champions League loss

After Edin Terzic resigned last summer, the Dortmund bosses decided to stay in-house with someone they already knew for their next appointment. Assistant and ex-Dortmund player Nuri Sahin became Terzic's successor.

It would, sadly, be a decision the club hierarchy would regret.

Although fans admired Sahin for his legacy at the club, it became increasingly clear that his time as a head coach would be short-lived due to the team failing to perform to the expected standards under his leadership.

Missing out on European football was a fear that suddenly looked like reality. It was a possibility the club had to prevent at all costs and they felt compelled to make a prompt change.

Sahin was sacked in January 2025, with Dortmund sitting 10th in the Bundesliga table.

Dark clouds were hovering over the club and it seemed as if European football was out of sight.

Fabio Poco/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Niko Kovac revives Dortmund in stunning season turnaround

As the search for a new coach started, the board decided to go with ex-Bayern Munich manager and player Niko Kovac. A surprising but not shocking appointment. 

Normally fans of a rival club would be horrified to see a former coach head over to their hated rivals. However Bayern fans had no hard feelings, remembering his failed tenure at the club from 2018-2019.

Especially, when Bayern sat at fourth in the league table in November 2019 after a horrible 5-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt. A time Bayern fans wish to have the opportunity to wipe away.

Despite failing at Bayern, Kovac still delivered a Bundesliga title to Dortmund and actually beat the Bavarians in the previous year with Eintracht Frankfrut in the DFB-Pokal final, the club's first major trophy since 1988.

When Kovac was appointed in late January, and looking at his previous destinations, expectations were for him to get Dortmund to a place that was acceptable in the fans’ eyes, or better.

Since Kovac took over the Dortmund squad, the team has seen a significant change and upturn many were not expecting.

The "Borussen" now sit fifth in the league, having collected 16 points in their last six games.

A record they would not have imagined of achieving at the beginning of the season

All eyes on Club World Cup success

Although the 'Schwarzgelben's' start to the season meant it would not be possible, once again, to lift the league title this season, their upturn in form has provided a new level of excitement and confidence going into the Club World Cup.

All of a sudden their fans have something more to hold on to. Dreaming doesn’t cost, after all.

Remember, Dortmund have proved over the years to be a strong cup team, even if their league form does not match.

Looking at last year’s Champions League run, Dortmund managed to shock the whole of Europe by knocking out giants like Atletico Madrid and PSG, before ultimately falling to Real Madrid in the final.

But who says they can’t do it again, reach another final and even win that?

They have added great additions in striker Serhou Guirassy and midfielder Pascal Gross, players they can count on when the running gets tough.

As the team prepares themselves for the remaining two games in the league to secure their Champions League spot, Kovac and his men will have an eye on the summer, knowing that the club and players will be capable of making a deep run in the competition.

They may even be lifting their first trophy in four years.

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