The Alas Pilipinas men's team is up for a tough task after being grouped with formidable foes in Pool A of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship during the draw ceremony at the Solaire Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City Saturday evening, Sept. 14.

The Nationals, who are ranked No. 64 in the world, were bracketed with 11-time African kings Tunisia (24), Egypt (20), which had a memorable stint in its 2024 Paris Olympics, and Iran (15).

Defending champion Italy will open its title defense in Pool F with Ukraine, Belgium and Algeria.

Meanwhile in Pool B, previous edition’s bridesmaid finisher Poland was grouped with the Netherlands, Qatar and Romania while Pool C has France, Argentina, Finland and South Korea; Pool D is composed of the USA, Cuba, Portugal and Colombia.

On the other group, Pool E is made up of 2022’s fourth placer Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria and Chile; Pool G has Japan, Canada, Turkey and Libya; while Pool H has 2022's bronze winner Brazil, Serbia, Czech Republic and China.

This also marked the first-ever hosting for the Philippines and a Southeast Asian country to the 32-nation centerpiece event which staged its inaugural edition in Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic and Slovakia) in 1949.

The volleyball’s biggest two-week tournament fires off September next year with the games set at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.