Starting on July 28, 2023, the volleyball world will shift its gaze to Doha, Qatar, where the Men’s Volleyball Challenger Cup will serve as the gateway to VNL2024. A country known for hosting major sports events over the last decade, including the recently concluded World Football Championship, Qatar is rapidly becoming a hub for sporting excellence.
As the hosts, Qatar’s volleyball team is not just a participant, but is also emerging as a promising contender for the tournament finale. Over the last 15 years, they have cemented their place among Asia’s finest, and their experiences at the FIVB World League in 2016 and 2017, as well as the recent World Championship, have significantly bolstered their international standing.
Joining the Qatari team are the European Golden League finalists, Turkey and Ukraine, along with the Dominican Republic, representing NORCECA, and Chile from the South American Confederation. Africa’s leading team, Tunisia, a qualifier from the Asian Challenger Cup, the national team of Thailand, and China, which finished last in VNL2023, are also vying for the top spot.
The tournament kicks off with the first round of quarterfinals, where Qatar will take on Thailand, and Tunisia will face Chile. The victors will proceed to the semifinals to battle for a spot in the tournament’s final round.
Turkey and the Dominican Republic, along with Ukraine and China, make up the second set of quarterfinal matches. The winners of these games will form the second semifinal pair.
The competition, slated from July 28 to 30, 2023, will provide the victorious team with more than just bragging rights – the champions will secure their spot in the 2024 edition of the Volleyball Nations League. Predictions suggest a heated battle ahead, with Tunisia and Qatar leading in one bracket, and Turkey, Ukraine, China, and the Dominican Republic posing stiff competition in the other.
