The FISU University World Cup Football was officially presented last week to the media at a press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China.

The press conference featured FISU President Mr Oleg Matytsin and a number of high-ranking officials, including Mr Tian Xuejun, Vice Minister of Education and President of the Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC), Mr Yang Xianjin, Vice Governor of Fujian Province, Mr Li Yuyi, Vice President of Chinese Football Association, and others.



In August 2017, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) signed an agreement with FUSC to host four editions of the final round of its latest event, the FISU University World Cup Football. In contrast to the majority of FISU competitions, the FISU University World Cup Football is designed for the world’s best university teams, rather than national teams.

The final round, which will take place in Jinjiang, is set to be staged for the first time in Autumn 2019, and will be preceded by qualifying tournaments in Europe, Asia-Oceania, the Americas and Africa. Following the qualification events, 16 male and 8 female university teams will progress to Jianjiang. The organisers expect hundreds of universities from all over the world to participate in the preliminary rounds.



Speaking at the press conference, FISU President thanked the Chinese authorities for their support: “We are experiencing the beginning of something that I know will be very special for university sports and that I believe will be very special for Jinjiang,” Mr Matytsin said. “I am confident that the FISU University World Cup Football will bring together the very best university football teams in the world.”

Vice Minister of Education and FUSC President Mr Xuejun said: “The future of football development in China is going to be built on youth football, and therefore we have to start with our youth football programmes that take place on campus.” “In recent years, China has successfully hosted many international sports events. There is a lot of experience we can draw upon, and you can be sure of the success of the FISU University World Cup Football”, he concluded.



After the press conference, President Matytsin visited Jinjiang to meet with city mayor Mr Zhang Wenxian and discuss preparations for the tournament.

For more information, please see www.fisu.net.