The Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football opens in brilliant color.
Opening Ceremony
A year later, Dalian once again welcomes a world-class youth football gathering.
At 15:30, the Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football officially kicked off at Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium.
24 top university football teams from 17 countries across five continents have converged on this world-renowned “City of Football” to take part in a green-field feast of youth, passion and friendship.
Mr. Wang Jiayi, Vice Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, declared the tournament open. Mr. Xiong Maoping, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Liaoning Provincial Committee and Secretary of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee, attended the opening ceremony. Mr. Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and Mr. Chu Tianyun, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, delivered speeches. Also in attendance were Mr. Chen Shaowang, Executive Chairman and Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee of Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, Deputy secretary of the CPC Dalian Municipal Committee and Mayor of Dalian; and Mr. Gong Fuqing, Chairman of the Dalian Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
In his address, Leonz Eder thanked China for its outstanding contributions to the development of university sport and for its long-term, steadfast support of FISU. He said China has become one of FISU’s most important and treasured partners. The motto “Excellent in mind and body” is not only a core ideal upheld by many universities but also inspires young people to pursue progress in both academics and sport. He expressed the hope that this tournament will display excellent competitive standards, adhere to the principle of fair play, be suffused with mutual respect, and conclude successfully.
In his remarks, Chu Tianyun said that under the guidance and support of FISU and China’s Ministry of Education, the organizers have followed the hosting philosophy of “safety, innovation, humanity, and brilliance,” and have worked hand-in-hand with the All-China Students’ Sports Federation to prepare meticulously for the tournament. As a major sports province in China and the province that has produced the most Olympic champions in the country, Liaoning takes pride in Dalian’s reputation as a celebrated “City of Football,” which has supplied more than 230 national team players to Chinese football. Liaoning will thoroughly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, vigorously promote high-quality development of youth football, make greater efforts for the cause of Chinese football, and contribute more to university football worldwide.
Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, organized by the International University Sports Federation, is the world’s highest-level, largest-scale, most widely followed and most influential university football event.
This edition of the FISU University World Cup Football follows Dalian’s successful hosting of the ISF Football World Cup in 2024, and is another world-class youth football gala to be held in the city. The tournament features star-studded lineups, including elite sides from traditional football powers such as Spain, France, Brazil and Chile. Participating universities also include institutions ranked within the top 500 of the 2025 QS World University Rankings — for example, The University of Sydney and The University of Auckland — further reflecting the event’s high level and international character.
Dalian, a charming city famed as a “City of Football,” is renowned for its high standard of event hosting and strong football culture. In recent years it has staged important matches such as FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, international friendlies of the Chinese national team, and Chinese Super League fixtures.
This year the “Dalian City Football Super League” has continued to heat up — from the budding dreams of campus teams to the wide participation of citywide amateur groups, and on to fierce contests at the competitive level, football fever flows through the city continually.
In preparing for this FISU event, Dalian drew heavily on the successful experience of hosting last year’s ISF Football World Cup and has pursued excellence in event organization, logistical support, cultural exchange and other aspects, striving to allow guests from home and abroad to fully appreciate the coastal city’s unique charm and profound cultural heritage.
Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) gave high praise to Dalian’s preparations.
“Dalian has highly professional experts who have cooperated very harmoniously with the FISU working groups. Preparations have been extremely thorough, which left a deep impression on me. China has hosted many single-sport FISU events before and has always delivered on its commitments. I believe there will be many more opportunities to cooperate in the future — not only in football but in other areas as well.” Leonz Eder stated.
Performances
Dalian’s cultural performances shone at Suoyuwan.
The opening-ceremony cultural program dazzled the audience. More than 1,200 university and primary and secondary students from Dalian performed with passion; the stage rippled like waves and gulls soared — youthful vitality and the coastal city’s maritime rhythm fused perfectly, transforming the city’s open and inclusive temperament and its warm welcome of guests from the five continents into a powerful visual symphony.
Leading the opening performance were over 1,200 university students from seven Dalian institutions, accompanied by children from the Dalian Children’s Choir running in with the event mascot, fully showcasing the energetic spirit of Dalian’s children. In the performance of Jasmine, artists from the Dalian Song & Dance Theatre interpreted the unique charm of Chinese traditional culture with graceful dance. The Dalian Acrobatic Troupe incorporated youth-filled choreography into the theme song “We Want to Win” putting on a high-energy show that pushed the atmosphere to its climax.
Over 11 match days, 62 gripping and spectacular encounters will be staged in rotation at professional venues including Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium, the Dalian Youth Football Training Base, and the Dalian Sports Center.
29 Sep
