Teams line up at the opening ceremony of the 2026 "Hi, Qiantang" International Football Invitational Tournament in Qiantang district, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Nov 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 "Hi, Qiantang" International Football Invitational Tournament kicked off in Qiantang district, Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 1.

Featuring eight teams and an eight-a-side format, the tournament brings together international students and residents from across Qiantang to compete for honors over the next month.

"We are having so much fun in the game," said Oussama Louchgui, a sophomore student from Hangzhou Dianzi University who scored a hat trick in his team's opening match and won the MVP award.

Louchgui, who hails from Morocco, missed last year's tournament. This year he is determined to help his team win the championship. However, he said that community spirit matters the most.

"It is true that I am here to win matches," he said. "But more importantly, playing in the tournament can help me make more Chinese friends, learn more about the local culture, and better integrate into local life."

Players compete at the 2026 "Hi, Qiantang" International Football Invitational Tournament. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

For its third edition, this year's tournament drew international students, foreign teachers, and employees from 25 countries and regions, as well as local residents and players from government agencies.

Home to thousands of international students from over 100 countries, Qiantang now boasts 14 colleges and universities. Its international appeal has attracted a growing roster of talent from outside China, with some 1,900 foreign-invested companies having settled in the area.

Players compete at the 2026 "Hi, Qiantang" International Football Invitational Tournament. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]