DOHA HOSTS THE FUTURE OF VOLLEYBALL: FIVB BOYS’ U17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TIPS OFF IN QATAR

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The next generation of volleyball talent has arrived in Doha. From August 19-29, Qatar hosts the second edition of the FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship — the first time the country has ever staged a volleyball world championship at any age or gender level, and a marquee moment for the sport’s growth in the Gulf.

And fans across Latin America and the Caribbean won’t have to look far to catch it: every match streams live and completely free on the Panam Sports Channel app.

A Historic First for Qatar

The tournament marks a milestone for Qatari sport. Organizers have spent months preparing the Women’s Sports Hall at Aspire Zone and Al Arabi Sports Club as the two competition venues, and Qatar Volleyball Association officials have called the event a landmark moment for the country’s volleyball program. The host nation’s U17 side enters after an extensive seven-month buildup that included training camps and roughly 25 international friendlies in Doha, Cairo and Slovenia.

Qatar opened its campaign on August 19 against Venezuela at Aspire Zone, with matches against France (August 21) and Tunisia (August 23) still to come in Pool A play.

The Field: Defending Champions, Rising Contenders

Twenty national teams — narrowed down from an originally planned 24 following some late withdrawals — are competing across five preliminary pools:

• Pool A: Qatar, Tunisia, France, Venezuela
• Pool B: Italy, Cuba, India, Romania
• Pool C: Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Poland
• Pool D: Spain, Egypt, Bulgaria, Türkiye
• Pool E: Iran, Chinese Taipei, Pakistan, Algeria

Italy arrives as the team to beat. The Italians won the inaugural edition of this championship in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2024, defeating Argentina in the final to become the first-ever Boys’ U17 world champions. Both finalists are back for another run: Italy headlines Pool B alongside Cuba, India and Romania, while silver medalists Argentina face Brazil, Mexico and Poland in Pool C. Bronze medalists Chinese Taipei and fourth-place finishers Spain also return, rounding out a field that includes nine nations making their U17 World Championship debut — among them hosts Qatar, France, Venezuela, India, Romania, Poland, Türkiye, Pakistan and Algeria.

Each team plays three matches in the preliminary round, with the top 16 nations in the combined standings advancing to the Round of 16. From there, the competition moves through the quarterfinals and semifinals before the bronze and gold medal matches close out the tournament on August 29.

How to Watch — Free on Panam Sports Channel

Every match of the tournament is available live and free of charge on the Panam Sports Channel app, with coverage starting daily at 10:00 AM ET. The app is free to download on mobile devices, giving fans across the region a courtside seat to watch the sport’s next stars — including Pan American contenders like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Venezuela — chase a world title in Doha.

Some geo-blocking restrictions may apply depending on region.

Download the Panam Sports Channel app now to follow every set of the FIVB Boys’ U17 World Championship through the final on August 29.