Duels set for the first-ever Boys' U17 World Championship

Exciting duels are set to take place in the first days of the FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship as the drawing of lots for the event was completed on Wednesday, determining the composition of the pools.

The inaugural edition of the biennial event will be hosted in Sofia, Bulgaria, from August 24-31, and the 16 participating national teams were split into four pools in the first round of the tournament.

Allocated in Pool A, hosts Bulgaria will face Mexico, the Chinese Taipei and Spain. Entirely formed by teams from Africa and Asia, Pool B will have Iran, Egypt, Tunisia and Libya.

Italy start the event as the top team in Pool C, where they will face Argentina, Puerto Rico and Cuba. Pool D is led by Belgium, also featuring Brazil, Chile and Uzbekistan.

Pool play will open the first edition of the Boys’ U17 World Championship with teams facing their opponents in a single round-robin format. All 16 participating national teams will advance to the Round of 16.

The winners of the first match of the elimination rounds will move forward to the quarterfinals, while the losers will play in the playoffs to determine final positions from 9th to 16th.