University of Wollongong (UOW) and the University of Sydney (USYD) will start their 2019 FISU University World Cup – Football campaigns today in Jinjiang, China. Both teams earned qualification for the prestigious event after winning the 2018 UniSport Nationals.

The FISU University World Cup – Football is the first major international sports event for the city of Jinjiang and is also the first time that a football tournament at this international level is being held simultaneously for both genders.

UOW will compete in the men’s division alongside 15 other teams from around the globe. Earlier this year they recruited Socceroos veteran Luke Wilkshire to coach the team as they prepared for the World Cup event. UOW have had the perfect preparation in the lead up to the event, after winning back to back UniSport Australia Nationals Div 1 title in September.

UOW have been drawn in Group A and will play:

• Julius-Maximilians University of Wurzburg (GER)

• Taiyuan University of Technology (CHN)

• University of Malaga (ESP)

USYD are one of 8 teams competing for the women’s title. After winning the UniSport Australia title for the past nine years, the team is full of confidence. Captain Clare Woods highlights ‘’The pride of representing the University of Sydney and the confidence instilled from winning Nationals nine years in a row means we're going into the competition eagerly and positively.’’

USYD have been drawn into Group A and will play:

• Beijing Normal University (CHN)

• Paulista University (BRA)

• University of Lausanne (SUI)

UniSport Australia wishes both teams good luck at the event.

For results and general event information here

Tune in to watch the Australians in action, all games will be streamed live through FISU.TV