The Chinese Football Association (CFA) President Song Kai emphasized the importance of internationalizing Chinese youth football training during the launch ceremony of the ‘Bundesliga Dream’ project in Shanghai. This initiative represents a significant step in strengthening the ties between Chinese and German football, particularly in youth development.
The ‘Bundesliga Dream’ is a collaborative effort between the Bundesliga International and the CFA, focusing on providing advanced training opportunities for China’s young football talent. The project, scheduled for February and March 2024, will see a group of promising players from China’s U16 national team training at various youth academies of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs. They will also gain valuable experience by playing against German youth teams.
Song Kai highlighted Germany’s sophisticated youth football training system as a model worth emulating. The training plan, jointly developed by the CFA and Bundesliga, will concentrate on critical in-match scenarios, including effective transitions from defense to attack. This structured approach aims to enhance the tactical and technical aspects of young Chinese players’ game.
The project also aims to widen the scope of opportunity for youth players across China, especially those from the country’s 16 key ‘football cities.’ By enabling these young talents to train in football-developed countries like Germany, the CFA hopes to elevate the standard of Chinese football from a grassroots level.
The initiative is partly a response to the challenges faced by Chinese football, as exemplified by China’s recent 3-0 loss to South Korea in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament. Song Kai expressed that improving Chinese football requires a strong focus on youth development and a global perspective on the sport’s progression.
The collaboration with Bundesliga also includes a long-term cooperation agreement, reflecting a commitment to sustained growth and development in Chinese football. Peer Naubert, head of marketing at Bundesliga International, underlined this commitment, expressing the aim to create a pathway for talented Chinese players. The project aspires to emulate the success of former Chinese players like Shao Jiayi, Yang Chen, and Liu Shaoziyang, who have made their mark in German football.
Lothar Matthäus, a renowned Bundesliga star, also attended the ceremony and shared his enthusiasm for the project. He stressed that competing against stronger players in Germany would provide invaluable learning experiences for young Chinese players, helping them improve and develop their skills.
The ‘Bundesliga Dream’ project is more than just a training program; it represents a bridge between Chinese and German football cultures. It’s an endeavor to foster a new generation of Chinese football players equipped with international experience, tactical knowledge, and the competitive spirit necessary to excel on the global stage.
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