A continental giant in Egypt awaits Alas Pilipinas Men midway through the group stage of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship.
After a herculean opener against Tunisia, the Nationals will take on another powerhouse from the opposite part of the world in reigning African champion Egypt,
READ: Alas' opening FIVB Worlds foe Tunisia left without top scorer
The world No. 23 side is one of two African nations in Pool A, paired with the Asian duo of the Philippines and the group's highest-ranked team at No. 15 in Iran.
Unlike the newcomer host nation, the Pharaohs are no stranger to competing at the highest level of international volleyball.
Pharaonic powerhouse
Only Egypt represented Africa in last year's 2024 Paris Olympics but finished dead-last without a win in three group stage matches against the powerhouse trio of Italy, Brazil and world No. 1 Poland.
At the helm of a historic outing nonetheless for the Pharaohs are 6-foot-6 star setter Abdallah Abdalsalam Ahmed Bakhit, 6-foot-3 outside hitter Mohamed Asran and 6-foot-8 middle blocker Abdelrahman Seoudy.
Still, the Egyptians clinched their ninth appearance in the global conclave following its bronze medal finish in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball Challenger Cup.
Opposite hitter Reda Haikal and outside hitter Ahmed Azab, leaders of Egypt's medal run in that tournament, are also among key faces to watch out for in Alas Men's stacked group.
Egypt finished 19th overall in the last edition of the World Championship led by a champion Italian coach in 61-year-old Italian Marco Bonitta, making it four compatriot coaches in Pool A along with the Philippines' Angiolino Frigoni, Tunisia's Camillo Placi and Iran's Roberto Piazza.
Bonitta carries a decorated international pedigree, having led Italy's women's national team to the gold in the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Germany.
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