The Team Draw confirms University World Cup – Football group play

• Men open the tournament with Beijing Institute of Technology (CHN) taking on Autonomous University of Mexico State (MEX)

• The women’s competition kicks off with Beijing Normal University (CHN) playing Paulista University (BRA).

• Watch a recap of the team draw

JINJIANG, CHINA – The draw for the Kelme 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football took place under the studio lights of the Jinjiang TV Station.

Portuguese football legend Luis Figo starred in a glittering draw ceremony for the event’s inaugural edition, with the 12-day tournament getting under way on 21 November.

Jinjiang Mountain Park StadiumKnown as the South Gate of China and the starting point to the Maritime Silk Road, Jinjiang is set to begin living up to its new title as the home of university football. Sixteen men’s and eight women’s teams will play 62 matches from 21 November – 1 December.

Twenty-three universities from 15 countries earned their places in the field through continental qualifying tournaments. Paulista University from Brazil made it into both, the men’s and women’s competitions – the only university to do so.

The event will begin with group play in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing on. The winners of the semifinals will go to play for the global title, with the women’s winner crowned on 30 November and the men’s finals taking place on 1 December. 

Between the two draws, Figo gave the packed television studio audience, primarily comprised of students, some advice.

“In all areas of life, you have to work hard and give your best, with passion. Passion is the most important thing when you decide to do something. Dedicate yourselves to your profession and follow your dreams. In the end, you all want to achieve something so just try to be a little better everyday.”