It can be a bit awkward for top players from around the world to see two of their former teams competing at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. However, Park Jooho is one of the few who has played for two teams placed in the very same group.
The former Korea Republic full-back got his start in the Japanese leagues, before continuing his career with FC Basel in Switzerland, German sides Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, and Korea’s own Ulsan HD and Suwon FC. He is now looking forward to watching two of those teams, Dortmund and Ulsan, play each other at Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium on 25 June.
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“I was so amazed that I asked myself if I’d really heard correctly [after the draw],” Park told FIFA. “Then I realised that with this expanded Club World Cup, it was entirely possible for my former Korean team, Ulsan, and my former European side, Dortmund, to meet. The chances were low, but now that it’s happening, I’m interested and fascinated.”
Although he never had the opportunity to enjoy a global club football tournament with either Dortmund or the Tigers, Park did get a taste of the world stage with Korea Republic’s national team in both the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™. However, neither tournament left him with happy memories. He didn’t play a single minute in 2014, while in 2018 he was sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in his nation’s opening match against Sweden.
“Actually, the World Cup left me with a lot of scars,” he recalled. “I was injured at the time and didn’t get to play much. Still, I definitely got to experience the World Cup atmosphere, and I remember it as a tournament that provoked a lot of tension, pressure and complex emotions.”
The defender emphasised that the same passion and pressure are surely felt at the Club World Cup. “True to its name, it’s a World Cup between clubs,” said Park. “So those players must be feeling the same thrills, tension and pressure as in the World Cup. Also, performing well in this competition allows European and other top teams to directly observe and evaluate the players. I’m sure it comes with a lot of stress, but it’s also a great opportunity.”
Although Ulsan HD have also been knocked out of the tournament, their spirited performances have provided thrilling viewing for football fans the world over. Ulsan’s second Group F match against Fluminense FC has been lauded as one of the most exciting clashes of the tournament so far, with the Tigers falling behind at the outset, before rebounding to a 2-1 lead at half-time thanks to goals from Um Wonsang and Lee Jinhyun. The Korean team managed to hold off Fluminense’s relentless attacks for a while before suffering a 4-2 defeat.
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They are now aiming to finish on a high note in their final Group F fixture against Dortmund. With no team in the group having yet secured a spot in the round of 16, the Tigers are expected to give their all in hopes of leaving a strong impression on the global stage.
Park feels a full spectrum of emotions towards the Korean side, who were often title contenders during his spell at the club, though ultimately never managed to lift the K League 1 trophy.
“We went through a lot together at Ulsan – it was a time of both sorrow and joy,” said Park. “There was a lot of sadness when we missed out on the league title, and I remember we were saying to one another, ‘Let’s give it another try.’ I still regret not winning the league.”
However, the defender did end his final year at Ulsan in triumph, leaving Munsu Stadium with the joy of an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League title. Reflecting on that success, he recalled, “Still, I think my time at Ulsan ended well with our victory in the AFC Champions League. Both on and off the pitch, my team-mates and I built strong bonds and we got along really well. Because of these valuable memories, my time at Ulsan remains a cherished part of my career.”
He spent less time on the pitch at Dortmund, but his time there nevertheless provided him with a strong sense of belonging, and he is still in touch with the club. Park became one of the Black and Yellow when he transferred from Mainz 05 to Dortmund in 2015 together with coach Thomas Tuchel.
“At the time, Dortmund were a very strong team in the Bundesliga,” he said. “If only I hadn’t been injured, I’d have continued competing and developing my skills with those great players, and I’d have become a better player. I didn’t get to play many matches with that competitive squad, but I’m incredibly grateful that I was able to be part of that team.”
Both of Park’s former sides are renowned for their culture of passionate support, and Park anticipates that this will be on display in their encounter.
“When we played Dortmund while I was at Mainz, it didn’t actually feel that overwhelming,” recalled Park. “The support was impressive and powerful, but as a member of the opposing team, my priority was to stay focused on the match. But once I joined BVB, it was really magnificent. Their support isn’t something I got to experience fully. I didn’t play in many matches and mainly watched from the sidelines, but there were so many varied and impactful chants. And the fans cheer with the mindset that they’re playing alongside us. Seeing it for myself was very moving.
“I think Ulsan have more supporters now than when I was playing there. I even see a lot of them at away games. They’re a team with an evolving fan culture.”
So which team will Park support?
“I can’t answer that,” he said with a smile. “I’d be happy with a win for either team, but I’ll also be heartbroken. If possible, I’d like a Korean player to score and Dortmund to come out on top.”
