Team Qatar Set to face Netherlands in Volleyball World Championship Opener in Philippines

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September 12, 2025
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12-September-2025

Team Qatar Set to face Netherlands in Volleyball World Championship Opener in Philippines

DOHA – The Qatari national volleyball team will launch their campaign in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on Saturday when they take on the Netherlands in their opening Group B match. The tournament got underway Friday in the Philippines and runs through September 28.

A record 32 teams are competing in this edition, with Qatar aiming for a strong start that reflects the team’s steady rise in recent years. Backed by intensive preparations and high expectations from supporters, the squad is determined to add another milestone to Qatari volleyball’s growing record of achievements.

Following the opener, Qatar will face defending champions and world No. 1 Poland on September 15 before wrapping up the group stage against Romania on September 17. This marks Qatar’s second appearance at the Volleyball World Championship, following their debut at the 2022 edition in Poland and Slovenia.

As part of their build-up, the team held an intensive training camp in Doha that featured seven friendlies: two each against Egypt and Iran, and three against Ukraine. Head coach Camilo Sotto of Argentina rotated his lineup throughout the camp to fine-tune tactics and assess player readiness.

Group B has been labeled one of the tournament’s toughest, featuring Poland, the Netherlands, and Romania alongside Qatar. Meanwhile, Group A saw an early statement from Tunisia, who opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 victory over hosts Philippines (25-13, 25-17, 25-23), collecting three points in their bid to replicate their 2022 knockout-stage qualification.

The championship format divides the 32 teams into eight groups, with the top two in each advancing to the round of 16, scheduled for September 20–23. Quarterfinals will follow on September 24–25, semifinals on September 27, and the medal matches on September 28.

Other notable groups include: Group C (France, Argentina, Finland, South Korea), Group D (United States, Cuba, Portugal, Colombia), Group E (Germany, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Chile), Group F (Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Algeria), Group G (Japan, Canada, Turkey, Libya), and Group H (Brazil, Serbia, Czech Republic, China).