DOHA: Qatar’s men’s volleyball team departed for Japan on Sunday to complete preparations for the Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship in Fukuoka before turning their attention to the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
The team held a training camp in Slovenia from Aug. 15-26 under Argentine coach Camilo Soto, focusing on physical and technical development, squad cohesion and tactical options.
Qatar played three friendlies against Egypt and several matches against Slovenian league sides during the camp. Nine new players were introduced as part of a rebuilding programme, while experienced players remain in the squad to provide continuity.
The 14-man 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.
Qatar are in Group C at the Asian Championship alongside South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Thailand. They face Thailand on Sept. 5, Chinese Taipei a day later and South Korea on Sept. 8.
The top two teams in each group, along with the best third-placed side, will reach the quarter-finals.
Qatar will then compete at the Asian Games, where the men’s volleyball tournament runs from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3. They were drawn in Group C with India, Vietnam and Hong Kong, China.
Qatar open against Vietnam on Sept. 27, meet Hong Kong the following day and finish the group stage against India on Sept. 29.
The team’s participation in Japan forms part of a broader programme aimed at gaining international experience and developing a squad capable of competing strongly at future continental events.
