SHANGHAI, Nov 2 – FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised China’s efforts to develop youth football on Thursday, with both sides promising to collaborate to maximize the country’s potential in the sport.
Infantino was in Shanghai for a high-level meeting with government and sports officials, holding talks with Zhang Jiasheng, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, and Song Kai, President of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), on the second day of his visit.
“We discussed plans to work together to ensure more youngsters play and excel in our sport, and how the FIFA Forward program can further football development,” Infantino said. “FIFA’s increased youth tournaments reflect a shared commitment to grassroots development, and I was impressed by the progress made to tap into this beautiful country’s massive football potential.”
According to FIFA, the CFA launched a restructured National Youth Super League (NYSL) with support from FIFA Forward in 2019. The venture provides young footballers with opportunities play competitively on a weekly basis.
FIFA Forward also funds the organization of the CFA Cup, which features teams from the top three divisions of the Chinese league system and a number of amateur clubs, over three seasons starting in 2024.
