Doha: The Qatar men's national volleyball team is set to commence their campaign in the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship with an opening Group C match against Thailand in Fukuoka, Japan. The tournament is slated to run from September 4 to 13, with Qatar also competing against South Korea and Chinese Taipei in the group stage.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari team has undergone an intensive preparation program ahead of the championship. This preparation included a training camp in Slovenia from August 15 to 26, led by Argentine coach Camilo Soto. The focus was on enhancing the physical and technical readiness of the players, experimenting with tactical strategies, and fostering team cohesion.
During their Slovenian training camp, the Qatar team engaged in three friendly matches against Egypt and played against several Slovenian professional league teams. These matches were pivotal for the coaching staff to evaluate the players' performances and readiness, especially since the team is undergoing a renewal process with the inclusion of several new players.
Nine new players joined the preparation phase alongside seasoned team members, highlighting Qatar's strategy to develop a competitive squad that balances fresh talent with experienced internationals. The 14-player squad includes Mehdi Samoud, Andrea Cross, Abdulrahman Bakri, Mubarak Musa, Abdullah Naseem, Pape Maguette, Mohammed Abdulwahab, Ibrahim Saeed, Rahimi Wydidi, Renan Ribeiro, Youssef Al Yafei, Mohammed Al Waleed, Mohammed Al Sharshani, and Naji Mahmoud.
Following the match against Thailand, Qatar will face Chinese Taipei on Sunday and conclude their group-stage matches against the Republic of Korea on September 8. The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team, will progress to the quarterfinals. Qatar aims to advance beyond the group stage and make a strong bid for the continental title.