Doha, August 30 (QNA) - The Qatar men's national volleyball team departed for Japan this evening to begin the final stage of their preparations for the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship in Fukuoka, before continuing their campaign in Japan at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4.

The team held a training camp in Slovenia from August 15 to 26 as a key stage of their preparations for the continental event. Head coach Camilo Soto of Argentina focused on improving the players' physical and technical readiness, testing a number of options, and strengthening cohesion among the squad.

During the camp, Qatar played three friendly matches against Egypt, in addition to several games against teams from the Slovenian professional league. The matches gave the coaching staff an opportunity to assess the players' performances and readiness, particularly with several new players joining the national team as part of a rebuilding and renewal programme.

Nine new players featured during the preparation phase, in a move aimed at building a team capable of competing in upcoming competitions while retaining experienced players who provide important support in continental and international tournaments.

Qatar's 14-player squad comprises Mehdi Samoud, Andrea Cross, Abdulrahman Bakri, Mubarak Moussa, Abdullah Naseem, Papi Magette, Mohammed Abdulwahab, Ibrahim Saeed, Rahimi Didi, Renan Ribeiro, Youssef Al Yafei, Mohammed Al Waleed, Mohammed Al Sharshani, and Naji Mahmoud.

Ali Abdullah Al Haddad will head the Qatar delegation during the Asian Championship, while Said Juma Al Hitmi, a member of the Qatar Volleyball Association's Board of Directors, will lead the delegation during the Asian Games, in accordance with the arrangements for the two events.

Qatar will begin their campaign at the Asian Championship in Fukuoka, Japan, in Group C alongside South Korea, Chinese Taipei, and Thailand. They will face Thailand on September 5, followed by Chinese Taipei the next day, before concluding their first-round matches against South Korea on September 8.

Group A comprises Japan, Australia, Bahrain, and Oman, while Group B features Iran, China, India, and New Zealand. Group D comprises the remaining teams in accordance with the tournament format.

The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team, will advance to the quarter-finals. Qatar will be looking to progress beyond the group stage and reach the knockout rounds, while approaching each match according to its circumstances and tactical considerations.

Qatar's participation in Japan will not end with the conclusion of the Asian Championship, as they will then turn their attention to another major event - the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which Japan will host from September 19 to October 4. The men's volleyball competition will be held from September 27 to October 3.

The draw for the men's volleyball competition placed Qatar in Group C alongside India, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, China. Group A comprises Japan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan; Group B features Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, and Kyrgyzstan; while Group D includes South Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, and the Philippines.

Qatar will open their Asian Games campaign against Vietnam on September 27, before facing Hong Kong, China, the following day. They will conclude their first-round campaign against India on September 29.

The volleyball competition at the Asian Games will be held at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park and Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, marking a second major stop for Qatar in Japan as they seek to build on their preparation programme and compete against strong opposition at the continental level. (QNA)