The first major milestone of the biggest university football event will be crossed on 11 September, as the team draws for the inaugural University World Cup – Football take place in Jinjiang, China. Celebrity guests including legendary Portuguese football player Luis Figo, will do the honours as the sixteen men’s and eight women’s teams find out who they will be up against when competition kicks off, on 21 November.
Two days ahead of the draw, Figo announced “On September 11, Jinjiang will hold the team draw ceremony for the first-ever Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football.”
“Let us meet in Jinjiang and cheer for university football,” he added.
The teams will be picked from four ‘Pools’ and placed in four Groups in the men’s draw and two Groups in the women’s draw.
The host teams in both the men’s and women’s fields – Taiyuan University of Technology and Beijing Normal University respectively – will automatically be placed in Pool 1. The team draw ceremony can be viewed live here.
The University World Cup is an exciting new format in the sport, as it brings together the best university football squads from around the world, rather than national teams. It is a unique opportunity for universities to compete for the title of ‘University World Champion’.
“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,” said FISU President Oleg Matytsin.
“I am confident that the FISU University World Cup – Football will bring together the very best university football teams in the world.”
Jinjiang Mountain Park StadiumJinjiang as a host city is more than ready. Known as the South Gate of China, the ancient-yet-modern city has prepared 14 top-class football venues for competition and training, including the majestic Mountain Park Stadium (right) where the gold medal matches will be held.
Jinjiang in fact, prides itself on being a city of football and the world will get a sneak peek on Wednesday, as the team draws are held in style.
The Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football is an evolution of FISU’s highly successful World University League that was staged for four consecutive years, exclusively in 3×3 basketball.
This initiative has now been expanded to men’s and women’s football too, and both events will be known as the University World Cups from this year onwards. The University World Cup – 3×3 is slated to be held in Xiamen, China in October, followed by the inaugural University World Cup – Football in November in Jinjiang.
