The launch ceremony for the 2019 Gree China Cup International Football Championship is held in Shanghai on Feb 21. [Photo/gx.people.cn]

The 2019 Gree China Cup International Football Championship is scheduled to take place in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region from March 21 to 25, with China, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Thailand participating.

Host country China will face off against Thailand on March 21. The two recently went head-to-head in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on Jan 20, with China beating Thailand 2-1. The winner of the upcoming match will play against the winner between Uruguay and Uzbekistan in the final on March 25.

Founded in 2017, the China Cup is an A-grade international soccer tournament that is recognized by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA). The third edition will once again be sponsored by the Chinese Football Association, the Department of Sports of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Nanning Municipal People's Government, and Wanda Group.

The event gives Chinese players a great opportunity to pit their skills against top-notch teams from around the world, and also gives domestic football fans a chance to watch world-class matches on home turf, said Qi Jun, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Football Association.

The 2019 Gree China Cup International Football Championship begins selling tickets on Feb 21. [Photo/gx.people.cn]