Pathways set for FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

FIVB general director Fabio Azevedo (center) turns over the world championship trophy to Local Organizing Committee co-chairs William Vincent Araneta Marcos (center) and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano

Another part of the timeline towards the 2025 edition of the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship has been checked off, with the conclusion of the Drawing of Lots on Saturday night at the Solaire Resort in Parañaque City.

Recently-elected Asian Volleyball Confederation president and the chief of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation chief Ramon "Tats" Suzara says, "It will be historic as the LOC [Local Organizing Committee] represents a unique ensemble of active and passionate participation from various sectors such as Government, corporate, sports industry changemakers and trailblazers, and volunteers, all determined to deliver their best; all with hearts beating for the love of the game."

32 teams were split off into eight pools, with the hosts Philippines and the top seven teams in the FIVB rankings getting seeded as the top line of each pool.

Alas Pilipinas, as hosts, were locked in as the top line of Pool A, alongside 11-time African champions Tunisia, defending African champions Egypt, and Asian runner-up Iran. The team was present during the event, including head coach Angiolino Frigoni. Also gracing the event was Alas Women mentor Jorge Souza de Brito, who was on the Brazil roster when they won the gold medal in the 1992 Olympics.

Top-ranked Poland is in Pool B against Romania, Qatar, and the Netherlands, while back-to-back Olympic champions France is in Pool C with Korea, Finland, and Argentina.

As for the fan favorites, the United States drew Colombia, Portugal, and Cuba in Pool D, Japan is in Pool G with Libya, Türkiye, and Canada, and Slovenia was allocated Chile, Bulgaria, and Germany in Pool E.

Completing the pools are Italy, Algeria, Belgium, and Ukraine in Pool F, and Brazil, China, Czechia, and Serbia in Pool H.

Helping conduct the draw are three noted stars of the sport: Dutch captain Nimir Abdel-Aziz, Slovenia captain Tine Urnaut, and Thai legend Nootsara Tomkom, whose nation was selected to host the women's edition of the World Championships next year.

Set to take place at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on September 12-28, the World Championships sees round-robin action within each pool, with the top two teams advancing into the Round of 16 to commence knockout action until a champion is determined, with the Philippines hoping to make their inaugural participation a memorable one to its passionate fans.

FIVB general director Fabio Azevedo shares, "For the first time ever, the World Championships will be held in the Philippines. They’re the first in Southeast Asia and for the first time ever, we will have the 32 best countries in your own soil... Together, we will all have the best volleyball experience here—the passion and courage of all teams. We’re absolutely happy and grateful. I can assure you will all work hard to make this a great success and give all the fans in the globe the joy of our sport."

Suzara adds, "Far after the champions have been awarded, the lights have been turned off and the sports hall has been closed, It will be historic, memorable, and even meaningful, as the legacy of the World Championships will carry on in the form of programs to energize national teams of lower catergory federations; programs to empower the youth, as they start dreaming of making it in the sport; and programs to strengthen communities through sports education campaigns and entrepreneurial initiatives."

Other highlights from the draw include the turnover of the FIVB trophy to the LOC, with co-chairs William Vincent Araneta Marcos and Senator Alan Peter Cayetano receiving, as well as an energetic performance from musical legend Gary Valenciano.