ISF Football World Cup 2024 Kicks Off in Dalian with Widespread Participation and Enthusiastic Support

May 19, Dalian, China - The inaugural ISF Football World Cup kicked off on May 18 at the Suoyuwan Football Stadium in Dalian, China. This prestigious event has attracted 36 boys' teams and 19 girls' teams from 33 countries and regions, marking a significant milestone in the history of school sports.

During the opening ceremony, athletes from across the globe marched into the stadium amid vibrant performances by over a thousand local school young dancers, culminating in the entrance of the host team, China, to a rousing reception. The ceremony featured spectacular performances, including martial arts, freestyle football, and dance, embodying the spirit of youth, unity, and friendship, and calling on young football enthusiasts worldwide to join hands and move forward.

ISF President Laurent Petrynka highlighted the participation of 1,350 athletes from 33 countries and regions, emphasizing the values of friendship, fair play, and respect.

Jin Guowei, Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, gave a speech about the rich football culture and strong school football foundation in Dalian, expressing the province's commitment to promoting high-quality youth and school football development.

Wang Jiayi, Deputy Minister of Education of China and Executive Chairman of the Organizing Committee, announced the opening of the ISF Football World Cup - China 2024.

The school athletes will compete in the coming 8 days culminating in the finals for both the boys' and girls' categories on May 26 at the Suoyuwan Football Stadium. In addition to the matches, participants will engage in cultural and educational activities such as the Culture Day, Nations Night, and ISF Academy offering a unique opportunity for young athletes to experience diverse cultures from around the world.