An international sporting event with athletics spirit and youthful vigour!
A high-quality, warmhearted celebration of football!
An exciting and wonderful tournament that goes through 12 days and 62 sessions
On September 28
Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football was closed successfully
University for Development Studies from Ghana and Shanghai University of Sport respectively win the champion of the men’s group and the women’s group.
In Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, 24 top-tier university football teams from 17 countries across five continents fought fiercely. In the end, Shanghai University of Sport from China and Laval University from Canada, Paulista University from Brazil and University for Development Studies from Ghana respectively advanced to the finals of the women’s and men’s group.
In the women’s final held first on September 27, Shanghai University of Sport from China defeated Laval University from Canada with the score 3:1 and won the women’s champion of Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football.
At 3:30 p.m. on September 28, the men’s final of Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football was held at the Suoyuwan Football Stadium. Paulista University from Brazil faced University for Development Studies from Ghana.
Paulista University from Brazil achieved an excellent start. Just 17 seconds into the final, Player No. 17, standing outside the penalty area, faced the oncoming goalkeeper and chipped the ball into the empty net, making Paulista University from Brazil a 1:0 lead.
In the 8th minute, University for Development Studies from Ghana gained a good free kick in the attacking half. Player No. 10 took the shot directly, but the ball was slightly higher than the crossbar.
After that, the two teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle, with each team taking turns to attack and defend. In the latter part of the first half, University for Development Studies from Ghana gradually controlled the game pace, making several excellent scores and threatening the goal of Paulista University from Brazil, but they returned in vain. At the end of the first half, Paulista University from Brazil was leading 1:0.
The second half began and University for Development Studies from Ghana continued to push forward. In the 60th minute, Player No. 20 form University for Development Studies from Ghana took a powerful shot in the penalty area, but it was saved by the goalkeeper of Paulista University from Brazil.
In the 68th minute, University for Development Studies from Ghana took a corner kick. Player No. 15 headed the ball towards the goal, but it was saved again by the goalkeeper of Paulista University from Brazil. Then, the trailing University for Development Studies from Ghana deployed its forces and prepared for the last chance.
In the 81th minute, University for Development Studies from Ghana gained a free kick in the attacking half. Player No. 15 took a powerful shot outside the penalty area, but it was firmly held down by Paulista University from Brazil. University for Development Studies from Ghana did not give up and continued to defend against the goal of their rivals.
Finally, in the last part of injury time, Player No. 11 of University for Development Studies from Ghana took a shot in the front of the goal, making the score 1:1. The regular time was over. Both teams entered into the extra time.
In the 120th minute of the extra time, University for Development Studies from Ghana gained a corner kick. The ball shot by Player No. 10 made a strange arc-shaped trajectory and flew over the goalkeeper of Paulista University from Brazil and entered into the goal, securing the victory of the game.
Finally, University for Development Studies from Ghana defeated Paulista University from Brazil by a score of 2:1 and won the men’s champion of Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football.
The wonderful game came to a successful conclusion
After an exciting game, the awarding ceremony and closing ceremony of Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football were held.
Shen Zhen, Chief Sports Officer of the International University Sports Federation, announced the conclusion of the event and delivered a speech. Gong Fuqing, Chairman of the Dalian Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the closing ceremony. Municipal leaders Xu Guangxiang and Mou Aofeng participated the ceremony.
Mou Aofeng stated in his speech
With the strong support of the Ministry of Education and firm leadership of the provincial and municipal government, Dalian adhered to the “green, innovative, humanistic and splendid” concept of holding the event, united efforts, pursued excellence, and strived to host a high-standard and high-quality football gala to the world, providing a board stage for young people from all over the world to enhance understanding, convey friendship, pursue dreams. Beyond the game, people could perceive China, walk around Dalian, experience the unique charm and profound culture of this coastal city, participated in colorful cultural exchange activities, and form deep and precious friendship. All of these jointly created a touching picture of mutual learning in civilization and understanding among people around the world.
Shen Zhen stated in his speech
The Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football saw 24 top-tier university teams from five continents embodying the spirit of youth and sports through their running and determination. Dalian seamlessly blended football passion with Chinese culture, with 13 local universities actively participating the event’s organization in various roles. Multiple agreements were reached, leaving lots of legacies for the tournament.
Over the 12-day event, 24 teams from 17 countries shared passionate moments of this event. In professional venues such as Dalian Suoyuwan Football Stadium, Dalian Youth Football Training Base, and Dalian Sports Center, the teams successfully completed 62 thrilling encounters.
Beyond the matches, Dalian arranged a variety of activities for the players. During the cultural nights, the “Meet Dalian · Youth Soars” art performances were held across three sessions, showcasing a blend of Chinese and Western artistic excellence and offering an audio-visual feast for international guests.
During the “Cultural Day” tours, players visited landmarks and cultural venues including Gangdong Fifth Street, the World Music Culture Museum, Dalian Forest Zoo, and Dongguan Street. They deeply experienced Dalian’s natural beauty, cultural charm, and modern vitality.
Youth never says goodbye, the spirit of running never stops
As the melody of “Oh, the Sea, My Hometown” rose softly, it symbolized that the athletes gained a “home of friendship” on the fields of Dalian—a warmth that connected individuals and extended throughout the city. A bilingual rendition of “Auld Lang Syne” lifted the atmosphere to its peak, with the entire audience turning on their phone flashlights, creating a glittering “galaxy of stars”. This moment elevated friendship into a shared human emotion transcending sports and borders, freezing a cross-cultural tribute to youth.
Many athletes expressed their emotions, saying, “Thank you, Dalian—we will definitely be back!”
Promoting excellent cases around the world
During Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football, Shen Zhen, Chief Sports Officer of the International University Sports Federation, visited Dalian University, Dalian No.8 Middle School, and Dongbei Road Primary School. He was full of praise for the well-equipped sports facilities and the enthusiasm of the students participating in sports activities.
Shen Zhen:
“Many aspects have already reached world-leading standards. We intend to promote these outstanding cases globally.”
He also gave full recognition for Dalian’s efforts in event organization and service support during Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football.
Shen Zhen:
“Hosting a large-scale comprehensive sports event is very challenging, as it involves many aspects such as competition, venues, transportation, accommodation, and volunteer services. Dalian has demonstrated considerable experience in these areas. The 24 delegations and participating teams are very satisfied with the competition arrangements made by the Dalian Organizing Committee, as well as the cultural performances and academic exchange activities organized during their free time.”
Sports Gala Showcases City’s Charm
Football City Opens a “Window to the World”
Reflecting on the entire preparation and hosting process, Ju Zhenwei, Director of the Dalian Education Bureau and a member of the FISU Executive Committee Office for this event, stated that following the successful hosting of the 2024 International School Sport Federation World Cup, Dalian has once again organized another world-class top-tier student sports event. Despite complex challenges such as cross-border and multi-stakeholder, the event organization achieved international recognition for its high standards and professionalism, fully demonstrating the city’s comprehensive capabilities and profound sports culture.
Ju Zhenwei introduced that during the preparation, Dalian successfully passed four rounds of evaluation and acceptance by FISU and the Chinese University Sports Association, held 10 international meetings, exchanged over 3000 emails, and resolved 75 critical issues. These efforts earned the professional, reliable, and efficient international acclaim. A total of 55 municipal departments collaborated to ensure the smooth operation of the event from start to finish.
Ju Zhenwei emphasized that this event broke through the traditional framework of sports competition and created an integrated platform for sports, culture, and education.
Ju Zhenwei: “The Organizing Committee arranged all team members to deeply experience the city’s culture through large-scale cultural performances and immersive courses in traditional Chinese activities such as paper-cutting, Tai Chi, calligraphy, painting, and martial arts. These were highly popular among the international university students.
Additionally, we advanced international education collaboration by establishing pairing mechanisms between the 24 participating teams and Dalian’s higher education institutions before the event. As the competition a bridge, we expanded inter-university cooperation, helping Dalian cultivate more football talents with both professional expertise and international perspectives.”
The event actively leveraged the educational function of sports and its broader social spillover effects. Primary, secondary, and university students, as well as teachers and students from football-focused schools, attended high-level matches on-site. Professional venues such as the Suoyuwan Football Stadium and Youth Football Training Bases were opened to students. More than 20 Dalian enterprises actively participated in sponsorship, providing everything from material support to specialized services, showcasing the city’s industrial strength and cultural charm, and achieving a win-win outcome for both the sports event and urban development.
Ju Zhenwei: “Dalian 2025 FISU University World Cup Football not only delivered high-level competitive matches but also became a grand carnival integrating sports spirit, urban culture, and international exchange. Hosting consecutive international top-tier football events has opened a window to the world for this football city—allowing the world to see Dalian’s football heritage while injecting powerful momentum into the future of football in Dalian.”
game has concluded, but the friendship endures
We believe the Dalian journey will remain an unforgettable memory in everyone’s life
29 Sep
