In the second edition of the FIVB U17 Men's Volleyball World Championship, which will be held in Doha, Qatar, 24 of the world's top youth volleyball teams will participate. The tournament is scheduled from August 19 to August 29 and provides a crucial opportunity for the next generation of players to gain international experience and establish themselves as future sports stars.
The Iranian team is expected to be one of the contenders for deep advancement in the competition. The Iranian U17 national team, coached by Arash Sadeghiani, has been placed in Group E and will begin its campaign on Wednesday with a match against Algeria. This game is scheduled for 14:00 local time in Doha and will give Iran a chance to start the tournament on a positive note.
Iran's group stage opponents include Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, and Algeria. The competition format for 2026 has been changed: 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will automatically advance to the Round of 16, as will the four best third-placed teams, making every preliminary match decisive for determining the playoff composition.
For Sadeghiani's young team, the first match against Algeria is an ideal opportunity to build momentum. Iran has already demonstrated promising form during preparations in Doha, defeating Italy 3:1 in a friendly match shortly before the tournament began. This result followed another victory in the preparatory program and boosted the team's confidence ahead of the World Championship opener.
Iran has traditionally achieved significant success in junior volleyball, so participation in the U17 World Championship holds special significance for the country. Italy won the first tournament in 2024, defeating Argentina in the final, while Iran now aims to challenge the strongest teams and secure a spot in the medal round.
After the match against Algeria, Iran will face Pakistan on August 21, and will conclude the group stage with a match against Chinese Taipei on August 23.