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| FIVB general director Fabio Azevedo, senator Alan Cayetano, and presidential son Vinny Marcos show the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship trophy. Cesca Rampas |
PARANAQUE--Ahead of the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship set on September 12-28, 2025 in the Philippines, the local organizing committee (LOC) staged the draw lots of pools at the Solaire Grand Ballroom on Saturday night.
After the draw, Alas Pilipinas found itself grouped with Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia in Pool A, virtually making the group Asia versus Africa.
The United States and Japan, known crowd favorites during their stints in the Volleyball Nations League legs in the Philippines, headline Groups D and G, respectively.
Team USA will be joined by Cuba, Portugal, and Colombia in Group D, while Canada, Türkiye, and Libya are in Group G with Japan.
Poland, the Netherlands, Qatar, and Romania, make up Group B, while France, Argentina, Finland, and South Korea were drawn into Group C.
Defending world champion Italy is in Group F with Ukraine, Belgium, and Algeria, while Group E consists of Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria, and Chile.
The last group, Group H, consists of Brazil, Serbia, Czechia, and China.
The top two teams per group will go to the playoffs, where it will be a knockout phase until the medalists are known.
The LOC is co-chaired by PNVF and AVC President Ramon "Tats" Suzara, PNVF chairman emeritus Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, and presidential son Vinny Marcos.
It will be the first time that the FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship will be held in Southeast Asia, and the Philippines will be the sole host of the 2025 edition catering to 32 teams from all over the world.
The competition will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay and the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
As revealed by AVC and PNVF President Tats Suzara, the finals will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
For Suzara, this is a historical event for the Philippines since this is the first time that the country will be hosting the pinnacle event for men's volleyball and also the first time for the Philippines to qualify in such a high-level tournament.
The Alas Pilipinas Men's National Team will now begin their preparation as they are set to leave for Italy for their 2-week training camp with National Team Coach, Angiolio Frigoni.
Asked about if there will still be changes to the national team or if they are still looking to add or replace players in his current roster, Frigioni said, "The national team is not closed. It is very open."
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