The World Cup Taiwan will kick off on Oct. 23: a big development for soccer in Taiwan. After eight years playing under the name “Cup America,” the event has a new branding. Footballers will come together in 18 teams, from across 13 nations, for a mini World Cup. And for the first time, ambassadors from Taiwan’s allies will gather on the pitch as well. Sixteen ambassadors and national representatives will play a knock-out tournament with athletes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Time to step out of the suit, and into the studs.

This footballer has amazing control of the ball, flipping, dribbling and showing off all kinds of tricks. Nothing is too tricky for Honduran student Daniel, who will play in the World Cup Taiwan.

Daniel
Honduran student in Taiwan
I’m in the Honduran team. This tournament will show the world Taiwan’s potential.

The theme of this year’s National Day was “A Great Alliance of Democracy, Let’s Make Friends with the World.” After eight years as Cup America, this year the event is global. Competing teams hail from Taiwan’s allies, like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, as well as from soccer-loving countries like the U.S., the U.K., Spain, and Italy. Overall, 18 teams from 13 nations will compete. And even top diplomats are getting on the pitch. They’ll go head-to-head in a knock-out tournament with players from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Willy Alberto Gomez Tirado
Guatemalan ambassador to Taiwan
This is an exciting event, because for the first time, ambassadors and representatives, we’re going to have a match against Ministry of Foreign Affairs people, and its name has changed from Cup America to Taiwan World Cup. It’s a statement of unity and friendship from the world to Taiwan and with Taiwan.

Lee Chih-chiang
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Over the years, the event has gained popularity and become bigger and bigger.

Huang Ho-nan
World Cup Taiwan organizer
There are a lot of discussions, a lot of sleepless nights, and sometimes even tears. I would also like to take some to time to thank the efforts of the people that made this World Cup Taiwan 2021 possible.

Weekend matches will be broadcast live on TV in several of Taiwan’s allied nations, including Haiti, Belize and Honduras. Officials hope that celebrating the beautiful game will let Taiwan closer into the hearts of its friends round the world.