GUIYANG, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- When foreign players marched past the stands at the Village Super League (VSL) football field, it drove home for many in Rongjiang County that the "World Cup" they had long dreamed of was finally happening.
The grassroots VSL, known in Chinese as "Cun Chao," originated in Rongjiang County, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Guizhou Province, and has been running for more than three years.
The opening ceremony of the 2026 VSL International Football Cup was held at the VSL field in the county on Thursday evening, attracting a total of 371 players from 16 teams representing more than 30 countries and regions, including 199 foreign players, who took part in the parade.
Yang Bing, the evening's commentator, said excitedly, "The 2026 Mini Cun Chao World Cup opened today. Rongjiang has truly turned a county-level village tournament into a global one."
Since going viral from May to July 2023, the VSL has pursued the goal of "attracting people from all over the world to play together." It plans to hold the Mini Cun Chao World Cup in 2026 and the Cun Chao World Cup in 2028. The 2026 international tournament is the so-called Mini Cun Chao World Cup.
Yang, a native of Kouzhai Village in Rongjiang County and a lifelong football fan, has commented on hundreds of VSL matches, including many international friendlies. He said that this international football cup is different. It is the first time the VSL has hosted an international cup, making his dream of a Mini Cun Chao World Cup a reality.
When 14-year-old Yang Zheng, a football fan from Rongjiang, saw foreign teams from Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia and elsewhere at the field, he could not help exclaiming, "A Mini Cun Chao World Cup is really being held in my hometown!"
"The Brazil team also came to Rongjiang during last year's National Day holiday. They were unbeaten in all their matches, so I am very curious about their performance this year," said Yang Zheng, who has played football for four years. He added that he was delighted and inspired to see players from around the world compete in his hometown and hoped to play on the VSL international stage himself one day.
"Since the VSL went viral, I have played in the first two international tournaments, but this is the one with the most foreign teams and players I have ever seen," said Lu Jinfu. He played for the Rongjiang County team against Malaysia South Tigers that evening and felt the same sense of excitement.
Lu was once an energetic teenager on the pitch and has now grown into a calm veteran. "Walking along the sideline, I heard different languages. It really felt like walking into a World Cup stadium. I was very excited," Lu said.
"This is the Mini Cun Chao World Cup!" said Jiang Zuoxian, a VSL ambassador, noting that the seven-day competition began on September 30. She has been at the pitch since the first day to watch and cheer for the teams.
On the morning of October 1, when Jiang saw Mateus Pereira, a Brazilian player who had visited Rongjiang before, she taught him to sing a Miao folk song. She hummed slowly, line by line, and Pereira imitated her with gestures.
"Language barriers do not matter. Players come to the VSL not just for matches, but also for fun," Jiang said, adding that football has no borders and sincerity is the most touching. "We admire their skills, and they love our way of life. This mutual affinity has made us good friends."
As old friends of the VSL, the Brazilian players enjoy the football and cultural atmosphere each time. Off the pitch, they took photos with tourists and cheered for other teams. On the pitch, they won applause with their samba style.
"The VSL international tournament has the best atmosphere of any amateur international football match I have ever seen," said Akonjom Great Nek, a Brazilian player whose Chinese name is Kang Wei.
"Many players from different countries came to this tournament," said Nek, adding that the international football cup really feels like a Mini World Cup, through which he has made many friends and had pleasant conversations with them.
"This is the charm of football," said Nek, emphasizing that it brings people from all over the world together to understand each other, share joy and build consensus.
It also made Nek look forward to the 2028 Cun Chao World Cup, and he hoped to participate and experience an even more enthusiastic football atmosphere.
Yang added that more and more foreign teams have come to Rongjiang to play in recent years, gradually turning the VSL pitch into a major platform for people-to-people exchanges between China and the rest of the world. ■
