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LoginIran Crowned Champions of FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship Doha 2026 Following France Win
Doha, August 29 (QNA) - Iran were crowned champions of the second edition of the FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship Doha 2026 after defeating France 3-1 in the final held today at the Ladies Sports Hall at Aspire Zone.
Iran claimed the gold medal, while France finished runners-up with the silver medal and Brazil took bronze. Iran imposed their rhythm on the match and secured the title with a 3-1 victory (25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-12), completing the tournament unbeaten and confirming their dominance from the opening stages through to the final.
Iran began their campaign by topping Group E with a perfect record before continuing their run through the knockout stages. They defeated Chinese Taipei in straight sets in the round of 16, overcame Pakistan 3-2 in a hard-fought quarterfinal and then booked their place in the final with a straight-sets victory over Argentina in the semifinals.
France, meanwhile, established themselves as strong contenders from the group stage, topping Group A with a perfect record following victories over Tunisia, Qatar and Venezuela. They continued their successful campaign by defeating Spain in the round of 16 and Romania in the quarterfinals before securing a place in the final with a 3-1 comeback victory over Brazil in the semifinals.
The final was attended by HE First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana, HE President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani, President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Associations Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari, HE Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, and President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) Fabio Azevedo.
Following the final whistle, an awards ceremony was held for the top three teams. Qatar beach volleyball stars Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, bronze medalists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, presented Iran with the gold medals and the championship trophy, while France received the silver medals and the runners-up shield.
Brazil had secured third place and the bronze medal after defeating Argentina in straight sets in the third-place playoff, winning 25-17, 25-18 and 25-13. Polish star Jakub Kochanowski presented the Brazilian team with their medals.
President of the Qatar and West Asia Volleyball Associations Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari praised the high technical standard of the World Championship, saying the competition reflected the significant development of the sport at youth level, with the participating teams producing strong performances and highly competitive and exciting matches.
Al Kuwari expressed his appreciation to HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, for his continued support for sport and volleyball. He said this support provided an incentive for the federation to continue developing the sport, hosting international competitions and strengthening Qatar's presence on the global sporting stage.
Al Kuwari congratulated France and Iran on reaching the final and also congratulated Brazil on securing third place and the bronze medal.
He said the presence of the FIVB President and his attendance at the tournament reflected the importance of the championship and the confidence placed in Qatar to host and organize international sporting events. He noted that staging the second edition in Doha was particularly significant as it marked the first time the championship had been hosted in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, following the inaugural edition in Bulgaria in 2024.
Al Kuwari also praised the attendance throughout the tournament, saying the fans' engagement and presence in the stands added significantly to the competition, created a special atmosphere for the players and reflected the strong interest in volleyball in Qatar.
He noted that the tournament provided an important opportunity for the participating players and teams to gain experience and compete at the highest level, while also showcasing a new generation of talent capable of shaping the future of the sport. He also praised the standard demonstrated by all the teams throughout the competition.
Al Kuwari added that Qatar had fielded players younger than the tournament's age category as part of an approach aimed at giving them early exposure to different international schools of volleyball and helping them gain international experience. He said the primary objective of Qatar's participation was to develop a generation capable of representing Qatari volleyball more effectively in future competitions.
For his part, HE First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana said the conclusion of the World Championship reflected the significance and stature of the event, noting that the tournament had featured high-quality performances and intense competition among the participating teams through to the final.
Al Mana said the tournament's successful conclusion, together with the strong attendance and official and international interest it attracted, demonstrated Doha's extensive experience in hosting world championships. He noted that this expertise extended beyond providing venues and facilities to managing the details associated with such events and creating an appropriate environment for athletes, delegations and officials.
He praised the Qatar Volleyball Association for its preparations and management of the tournament and commended the work carried out by the various committees throughout the competition. He said the successful organization of any world championship was the result of integrated cooperation between the federation, the organizing committee and all supporting entities, something that had been clearly evident throughout the tournament.
Al Mana added that the Qatar Volleyball Association had carried out extensive work and that the outcome witnessed at the conclusion of the championship demonstrated the scale of the effort made by national personnel. He noted that such tournaments required early preparation and continuous coordination and described the experience as successful by every measure.
Al Mana affirmed that the Qatar Olympic Committee would continue supporting national sports federations, both in developing national teams and hosting international competitions, as such events provide valuable opportunities for Qatari personnel and allow local athletes to compete alongside and gain experience against the world's best.
He noted that youth championships were particularly important because they were not solely about competing for titles, but also about identifying talent and preparing players for the future. He added that seeing this group of young players compete at the international level provides the sport with a broader foundation for future development and growth. (QNA)
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