China's Miao teen appears on World Cup stage

The first trip young Jin Cancan embarked on took him not only away from his hometown province but also abroad – to Qatar, the stage of the World Cup.

The 12-year-old Miao ethnic and a primary student in Danzhai country of Southwest China's Guizhou province appeared as the bearer of the FIFA flag prior the last two matches of the FIFA World Cup on Saturday and Sunday.

Born to a soccer fan father, Jin inherited the love of the game and was sent to a local youth training club in 2018, the same year he watched his elder friends from Danzhai holding the flag at the World Cup in Russia.

Jin was selected through a program co-sponsored by FIFA and Wanda Group, the official sponsor of the World Cup, to tap young promising players.

Taking batik scarves painted with Miao ethic images and the tournament logo with him, Jin said he hoped to show the world the unique traditional artistic work from his home and country's love for the sport.