Qatar is set to participate in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in 2025, marking only their second appearance ever. This achievement underscores their significant and rapid progress, establishing them as one of Asia`s most rapidly improving teams. Following their initial debut in 2022, they re-enter the global competition with enhanced experience, an improved performance record, and increasing international backing.
In the upcoming championship, Qatar will compete in Pool B at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Their schedule includes matches against the Netherlands on September 13th, Poland on September 15th, and Romania on September 17th.
This marks Qatar`s second consecutive qualification, a testament to their recent string of successes, which include multiple podium finishes. In 2023, the team achieved its best-ever result at the Asian Championship, securing a bronze medal, and subsequently won the 2024 Asian Nations Cup. Furthermore, they reached the finals of the 2023 FIVB Challenger Cup and earned another bronze at this year`s AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup.
A significant portion of this progress can be attributed to the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. In 2025, Qatar was granted USD 496,000 in specialized funding, which will cover 12 months of coaching for both their men’s and women’s national teams, encompassing both indoor and beach volleyball disciplines.
Under the guidance of head coach Camilo Andres Soto, Qatar`s men’s volleyball team has effectively utilized this support to forge a cohesive and highly competitive squad. Key players include outside hitter Wadidie Raimi and middle blocker Belal Abunabot, both of whom were crucial to their successful 2025 AVC campaign.
The domestic league, featuring prominent clubs such as Al Rayyan and Al Arabi, consistently fosters local talent while also drawing in international expertise, thereby elevating the overall standard of the sport within the nation.
Qatar has consistently demonstrated its aspirations in volleyball. The nation previously hosted the FIVB Men’s Club World Championship and is remembered for an extraordinary 45–43 set victory against Venezuela in 2017, marking one of the highest-scoring sets ever. Furthermore, their men’s beach volleyball team achieved Olympic success, earning a bronze medal in Tokyo with Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan.
Bolstered by a strengthening foundation, international mentorship, and concrete achievements, Qatar’s qualification for the World Championship highlights the team`s sustained improvement and development over the last three years.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood