The Philippines, hosting the FIVB Men`s World Championship for the first time, is buzzing with anticipation for their national team`s inaugural match in Pasay City.
The 21st edition of the FIVB Men`s Volleyball World Championship kicks off this Friday in Pasay City, promising a historic moment on its opening day. The host nation, the Philippines, will make its highly anticipated debut in the tournament, marking a significant milestone for the country.
Known for its incredibly passionate volleyball fanbase, the Philippines will finally see its men`s national team compete on one of the sport`s grandest international stages. This Friday, at 19:00 local time (11:00 GMT), they will face Tunisia in the championship`s inaugural match at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This Pool A first-round match is poised to be the most important in the history of the Filipino national team. While they have a history of competing in continental events like the Asian Championship and the Asian Games, this marks their first-ever foray into a global tournament.
To prepare for the demanding level of play expected, the Filipino squad recently embarked on intensive training tours to Morocco, Romania, and Portugal, honing their skills against international competition.
Team captain and outside hitter Marck Espejo expressed the team`s readiness: “This is a monumental tournament, and we are all prepared. As a team, we acknowledge there`s still much to achieve, but we`ve made immense progress since we began training together, especially during our European camp. I intend to seize every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This represents a massive opportunity, not only for me personally but for the continued growth of men`s volleyball throughout the Philippines, and I will not let it pass by unappreciated.”
Their opponents, Tunisia, bring a wealth of experience, having participated in ten World Championships and seven Olympic Games. In their last World Championship appearance in 2022, the North African side achieved a significant feat, winning their first match since 2006 to advance from the group stage and ultimately finish 16th.
The other two teams in Pool A, Iran and Egypt, are scheduled to play their opening match in the Philippines on Sunday at 13:30 local time (5:30 GMT). The top two teams from each pool will progress to the subsequent elimination rounds.
Match Schedule
19:00 local time (11:00 GMT) – Pool A – The Philippines vs. Tunisia
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick