The 2023 EAFF U15 Men's Championship kicks off in Qingdao, Shandong on Sept 1. [Photo/Qingdao News]

The 2023 EAFF U15 Men's Championship kicked off in Qingdao, Shandong on Sept 1. Teams from nine countries and regions including China, Japan, and South Korea are participating in the tournament, competing for the championship over the course of eight days.

The tournament is hosted by the East Asian Football Federation and consists of two stages: a group stage and a knockout stage. The group stage is divided into two halves and played in a round-robin format, while the knockout stage includes semi-finals and placement matches.

According to the organizing committee, the tournament provides a high-level youth football exchange platform for the member countries of the East Asian Football Federation.

The 2023 East Asian Youth Football Development Forum will also be held during the event, aiming to improve the overall level of East Asian youth football by learning the advantages and characteristics of each strong football team.

According to local officials, Qingdao has been ramping up efforts to ensure the organization, logistical support, cultural exchange, and other tasks for the tournament. The city aims to turn this event into a football extravaganza that reflects international standards and showcases the unique characteristics of Qingdao, thereby accelerating the construction of a modern international metropolis in the new era of Chinese socialism with distinctive features.