Preparations are shifting into high gear as the countdown to the Philippines’ first-ever solo hosting of the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025 reaches nine months.
Starting on New Year’s Day, meticulous planning will dominate the schedule to ensure the event’s success.
From September 12 to 28, 31 of the world’s best volleyball nations, along with host country Philippines, will battle it out at two iconic venues: the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“This is the time when preparations and organization become meticulous every single day. It’s the year of the FIVB Men’s World Championship, and as a first-time solo host, the mission demands nothing less than excellent—almost perfect—execution,” said Ramon “Tats” Suzara, head of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
Suzara, who was elected president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the FIVB in 2024, emphasized the stakes of hosting such a prestigious event.
“We’ve done it before, and we are expected to do it again,” added Suzara, referencing his leadership during the country’s co-hosting of the FIBA World Cup in 2023.
Adding to the confidence in a seamless hosting of the FIVB MWCH 2025 is the Philippine government’s strong commitment to the event.
This was solidified during the first top-level organizational meeting at Malacañang Palace on April 30, 2024, presided over by First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, co-chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), alongside Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who also serves as PNVF chairman emeritus, and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
The commitment was further amplified during the One-Year Countdown and Drawing of Lots held at Solaire last September.
The event was followed by the “Concierto sa Palasyo,” a night of music at Malacañang, attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Marcos, and Vinny Marcos.
Top officials from the FIVB and the LOC also joined the celebration.
FIVB president Fabio Azevedo, who was the secretary-general at the time, commended the Philippine leadership for its enthusiasm.
“It was fantastic to see how committed President Marcos is to promoting volleyball. It’s equally fantastic to witness the volleyball euphoria in the Philippines,” said Azevedo.
As a token of appreciation, he gifted President Marcos a painting by Slovak Olympian decathlete Slaven Dizdarevic during the concert.
The government’s active involvement has been evident through various initiatives, including the Inter-Agency Technical Working Group Meeting organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last November at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The Local Organizing Committee for the FIVB MWCH 2025 also includes Senator Pia Cayetano, Manuel V. Pangilinan, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, and PSC chairman Richard Bachmann.
Several key activities are lined up leading to the championship, such as an International Road Show in the first half of the year, a Mascot Contest and Launch, a Trophy Tour, a Media Broadcast Conference, a Team Managers Meeting, a Test Event, and the 100-Day Countdown set for June.
The Philippines is in Pool A, grouped with 11-time African champion Tunisia, current African titlist and Paris Olympian Egypt, and 2024 Asian Championship runner-up Iran.
Other groups are as follows:
Pool B consists of world No. 1 Poland, Romania, Qatar, and The Netherlands.
Pool C includes Volleyball Nations League champion France, Korea, Finland, and Argentina.
Pool D features the United States, Colombia, Portugal, and 2010 silver medalist Cuba.
Pool E is composed of Slovenia, Chile, Bulgaria, and 2014 bronze medalist Germany.
Pool F includes 2022 world champion Italy, Algeria, Belgium, and Ukraine.
Pool G consists of Libya, European League 2023 winner Türkiye, and Canada.
Pool H features Brazil, 2024 Challenge Cup winner China, Czech Republic, and Serbia.
With high-level government support and the nation’s growing enthusiasm for volleyball, the Philippines is poised to deliver a memorable and world-class FIVB Men’s World Championship in 2025.
