Down to four in Doha: Argentina, Brazil, France, Iran reach Boys' U17 World Championship semifinals

France, Brazil, Iran and Argentina claimed the four semifinal places at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship on Thursday, emerging from a quarterfinal day that delivered four different paths into the final four at Aspire Ladies Hall.

The margin for error narrowed in Doha on Thursday, and France responded with one of its most assured performances of the championship. Antonin Bonnard set the attacking tempo as the French side opened the quarterfinals with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) victory over Romania to claim the first place in the semifinals. Bonnard finished with 24 points, including 22 in attack, after making an immediate impact with 10 points in the opening set.

France found plenty around him as the match developed. Jaden Ebagne Yon contributed 14 points, while Noé Sognon finished with 12 and led France at the net with three blocks. Their contributions helped France maintain its advantage through the first two sets before Romania produced its strongest resistance in the third.

Romania continued to challenge as the third set developed into the closest of the match, with captain Alexandru-Gabriel Apostu leading his team with eight points. France stayed composed through the tighter exchanges and closed out the set 25-21, completing the straight-sets victory and securing its place among the final four.

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The first semifinal place was settled, and Brazil soon made its own move toward the final four. Venezuela kept the opening set competitive before Brazil created separation on the way to a 3-0 (25-19, 25-13, 25-14) victory, with Arthur de Paula Aguiar Lima leading the scoring with 12 points. He was particularly effective in attack, converting 11 of 15 attempts.

Brazil's strength came from the options around him. Middle blockers Lucas de Paula Dultra and Lucas Pereira de Abreu scored 10 points each, with Lucas Abreu producing four blocks, while Lorenzo José Trentin also reached 10 points. Captain Pedro Berlitz de Almeida added two blocks and two aces as Brazil became increasingly difficult to contain after the opening set.

Lucas Abreu credited the performance to the preparation Brazil had put in long before Thursday’s quarterfinal.

“This match didn’t start today. We practiced months and months ago, for more than a year, to get here in this moment and do what we do,” he said. “That’s how we won.”

Venezuela kept looking for openings, led by Diego Alejandro Rondon with 11 points, but Brazil's control grew as the match went on. After conceding 19 points in the first set, Brazil limited Venezuela to 13 in the second and 14 in the third, closing out the match in 77 minutes and joining France in the semifinals.

“For many years, our team didn’t go to the semifinals, so this is a huge win for us,” Lucas Abreu said. “We’re so happy because all the hard work is paying off.”

Brazil will face France at 14:00 local time on Friday for a place in the final.

With one semifinal set, attention turned to the other side of the bracket, and the atmosphere inside Aspire Ladies Hall quickly went up a level. Iran and Pakistan entered the third quarterfinal to loud cheers from the stands, with players and fans turning every point into a reason to celebrate.

That energy carried through a gripping five-set contest, with Pakistan putting Iran under pressure before the Iranians found their response and eventually prevailed 3-2 (25-23, 20-25, 17-25, 25-11, 16-14) after more than two hours of play.

Iran recovered after falling behind in the match, with its work at the net playing an important part in the turnaround. Azhvan Namazi recorded four of Iran’s 14 blocks, while captain Sina Hazrati led the scoring with 26 points. Pakistan continued to challenge through Faizan Ullah and Muhammad Waleed Khan, who finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively, as the match remained close late in the fifth before Iran closed it out 16-14.

“We came into the match feeling very good and believing in our team and that we could win. Pakistan were better than when we played them in the preliminary round, and we lost our concentration in two sets, but we were able to respond and find a way to win. We are very happy with the result,” Hazrati said.

Argentina completed the semifinal lineup by reversing its opening-day result against Poland, this time winning 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-20).

Captain Valentin Tomas Bianchi led Argentina with 15 points, all in attack, while the team also made an impact at the net with nine blocks. Setter Nuriel Gonzalo Vera contributed four of them, helping Argentina contain a Poland side that had beaten them in straight sets in their first meeting. Bartosz Nowak finished with 10 points for Poland.

Bianchi’s 15-point contribution came with a responsibility he understands extends beyond simply leading Argentina’s scoring.

“I think a lot of guys in Argentina want to be in the place that I am,” he said. “I am representing all the guys, all the children, all the people who play volleyball in Argentina and who want to be on the national team. My mind is always searching, ‘How can I make the point?’”

Reaching the semifinals made that responsibility even more personal for the Argentina captain, whose family was on his mind after the match.

“It is one of my dreams to represent this shirt, my country, my flag,” Bianchi said. “I thought about my dad, my mom and all my family. They are not here, but I know that wherever they are in the world, they are watching me and supporting me.”

With its place in the final four secured, Argentina will return to Aspire Ladies Hall at 17:00 on Friday to face Iran for a place in the final.

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