Libya`s national men`s volleyball team is set to make a significant comeback to the FIVB Men’s World Championship in 2025, marking their first appearance in 43 years. This period is longer than any of the current 14 squad members have been alive, as their last participation was in Argentina in 1982.
Libero Fuad Elmaarug, who was born just four months after that distant 1982 tournament, will be the team`s most senior player as the North African nation prepares for its long-awaited return to the global stage. The championship is scheduled to take place from September 12 to 28 in Manila, Philippines.
The team`s qualification was a remarkable achievement, securing third place at the 2023 African Nations Championship. Under the guidance of coach Ghazi Koubaa, Libya showed impressive resilience, suffering only one defeat throughout the entire competition—a narrow 3-2 loss to eventual silver medalists Algeria in the semifinals.
A crucial 3-1 victory over Cameroon in the third-place playoff not only earned Libya the bronze medal but also secured their spot in the expanded 32-team 2025 World Championship. This year marks a significant change for African volleyball, as the continent now has three qualification slots, an increase from the previous two reserved for top teams from the CAVB Continental Championship.
Coach Koubaa will once again lead the Libyan squad into this major international competition. His role is supported by an CHF 84,000 Coach Support project, part of the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, which began in 2023.
The Tunisian coach is well aware of the formidable challenge awaiting his team in Manila, as all their preliminary-round opponents are ranked considerably higher in the FIVB World Ranking. Libya, currently ranked 75th globally, has been drawn into Pool G alongside formidable teams: world number five Japan, 11th-ranked Canada, and 16th-ranked Türkiye.
Libya will kick off their tournament campaign at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on September 13 against Canada. They will then face Türkiye on September 15, concluding their Pool G fixtures against the top-seeded Japan on September 17.
Ahmed Ikhbayri, who was named Best Opposite in the Dream Team of the 2023 African Nations Championship, is expected to spearhead Libya’s offensive efforts once again. The 200cm tall opposite hitter, who plays for Modena Volley in the Italian Serie A1, will be looking to translate his strong club performance into success for his national team.
He will be joined on the court by his elder brother, Mohamed Ikhbayri, who will play as one of the outside hitters. Together, Mohamed Ikhbayri and Mohamed Garwash will be central to the team`s reception game and will provide essential attacking options from the wings.
The imposing middle blockers, Anas Alwaddani and Mohamed Alghoul, will form the core of the net defence. Meanwhile, captain Elmaarug will leverage his experience to orchestrate the team`s floor defence. Setter Abdelrahman Abu Zariba will be tasked with coordinating Libya’s offensive strategies as Coach Koubaa aims to restore Libya’s reputation as a powerful force, not only within African volleyball but also on the international stage.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood