Chongqing’s Youth Football Assembly: 11 Players Called Up to National Teams as City Emerges as Talent Hotbed

Chongqing - A quiet football revolution is underway in southwest China. As the 2026 season kicks into gear, the municipality of Chongqing has seen 11 of its young players selected for various national youth teams, signaling the rise of a robust talent pipeline that is beginning to supply the country's future stars.

The latest call-up came for 16-year-old forward Ju Zhitong, who was named to the U-17 Women's National Team training camp roster for the second time this year. She is one of a growing list of prospects emerging from a system now being hailed by coaches as one of the most effective in the nation.

The Journey of Ju Zhitong: From Rural County to International Stage

Ju's story is emblematic of this new wave. Born in Xiushan, a remote Tujia and Miao autonomous county, in May 2009, she first kicked a ball at age seven at Yingfeng Primary School. Her teacher, Chen Jianfeng, immediately recognized her raw talent. "She's tall, has long legs, is fast, and has an innate feel for the ball," Chen recalled. "Her understanding of the game is exceptional."

Training with the Xiushan Feilin Sports Club, Ju quickly became the team's linchpin. In 2022, she seized her opportunity during trials for the Chongqing women's youth team, assembled for the 15th National Games. Her performance earned her a spot on the team and a place at the prestigious High School Affiliated to Southwest University.

Her rise has been meteoric. In March 2024, she was selected for the national "Olympic Star" training camp. Subsequently, she joined the U-15 national selection team for a tour of Europe, where she scored once and provided an assist in limited playing time.

Now a first-year high school student, Ju has already signed a professional contract with Chongqing's Women's League A team. Her coach, Meng Lingzhong, is unequivocal about her potential. "At her age, her one-on-one dribbling ability is top-tier. Her success rate is extremely high. She's tough, direct, and very fast," Meng said.

Ju will now compete for a starting spot in the U-17 Asian Cup this May, where China faces Thailand, Vietnam, and Myanmar in Group A. A top-four finish would secure a place in the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.

Beyond the Headlines: A Surge of Talent

Ju is far from alone. According to the Chongqing Football Association, 2026 has already seen a flood of talent across both boys' and girls' teams: Xiang Yuwang and Li Zhenquan in the U-23 National Men's Team, Bai Huajun and Chang Zenghongyan in the U-16 National Men's Team, Zhang Jinjia, Yu Zhenglin, and Yu Huan in the U-15 National Men's Team (Training Camp), Shi Yiran, Yang Xinyu and Mai Yibo in the U-16 Women's Elite Player Training Camp.

These players are the most visible products of a deeper trend. Data from the Chongqing Sports Management Center shows that in 2025 alone, the city supplied 45 youth players to national team programs and training camps.

The 'Youth League' Model: Why Chongqing is Different

Coaches and officials attribute this surge not to luck but to a fundamental restructuring of youth development that began in 2021 with the creation of the Chongqing Youth Football League.

Unlike traditional tournament-style formats, where teams play a few games and go home, the Chongqing league adopted a European-style model. It features weekly "prepare-play-review" cycles, home-and-away fixtures, and promotion-relegation mechanisms that keep competition fierce. The league has expanded from a single U-13 division to include U-15 and U-17 categories, and now attracts top teams from neighboring Sichuan and Guizhou provinces, raising the competitive bar for everyone.

Ma Yuchang, Technical Director of the Chongqing Youth Training Center, believes this consistent, high-intensity competition is the key. "In recent years, Chongqing has focused intently on youth development, and we are now seeing the results," Ma said. "We are among the national leaders. Almost every age group now has highly competitive teams. The foundation is solid, and the number of outstanding young players is growing exponentially."

The results on the national stage are backing him up. In 2025, the Chongqing FA U-15 team made history by winning the national CFA Youth Football Tournament. Meanwhile, Chongqing Nankai High School secured a silver medal at the U-17 China Youth Football League finals, outperforming numerous professional academies and sports schools.

This progress is underpinned by a massive institutional commitment to grassroots football. As of January 2026, Chongqing has built 1,110 nationally recognized youth campus football schools, with over 2.5 million students regularly participating in the sport.

A "Golden Home" for the National Team

Chongqing's footballing ambition extends beyond its own players. The city is rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination for hosting major international events, creating a virtuous cycle that inspires local youth and generates revenue for reinvestment.

In June 2025, nearly 60,000 fans packed the Longxing Football Stadium to witness the national team's 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Bahrain. Last November, the city was a "golden host" for the U-17 Asian qualifiers, where fans witnessed the U-16 national team's flawless run to the finals. The Yongchuan International Women's Football Tournament, now in its 11th year, has become a critical part of the senior women's national team's preparation for world competitions.

"We are committed to providing the best possible environment for national teams to train and compete," a Chongqing sports official stated. "By investing in world-class facilities, support services, and our own talent development, we aim to be a cornerstone of Chinese football's future."

For young players like Ju Zhitong, the path from the remote hills of Xiushan to the bright lights of an international stadium is no longer a distant dream, but a well-trodden road.