Egypt looms as key hurdle for Alas Pilipinas Men in FIVB World Championship

Alas Pilipinas will face a tough challenge in African champions Egypt during the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship on September 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The match comes after the Filipinos’ opening-day duel against Tunisia, giving the home team two days of rest before locking horns with a squad that has established itself as the dominant force in African volleyball.

Egypt enters Manila as the reigning African champions, reclaiming the continental crown to secure their ninth title. The Pharaohs were also Africa's lone representative at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, where they finished 12th overall.

Their roster is headlined by 6-foot-6 star setter Abdallah Abdalsalam Ahmed Bakhit, 6-foot-3 outside hitter Mohamed Asran, and 6-foot-8 middle blocker Abdelrahman Seoudy—a trio that carried the team back to the top of the African ranks.

Adding depth are opposite hitter Reda Haikal and outside hitter Ahmed Azab, both of whom played key roles in Egypt’s bronze-medal run at the 2024 FIVB Challenger Cup.

Under 61-year-old Italian head coach Marco Bonitta, who guided Italy's women's team to World Championship gold in 2002, Egypt has made significant strides on the global stage.

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After a 19th-place finish in the 2022 Worlds co-hosted by Poland and Slovenia, the Pharaohs are aiming for a breakthrough performance in Manila. Currently figuring as the world no. 23, Egypt is eager to prove that it can contend with volleyball’s elite.

With Pool A also featuring world no. 13 Iran and no. 42 Tunisia, the matchup against Egypt looms large in world no. 82 Alas Pilipinas’ bid to advance past the group stage.

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Tickets for the 2025 FIVB World Championship are available via the official website.