Gold on the line: France, Iran face off in Boys’ U17 final

France and Iran are the final two teams in the hunt for gold at the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship, with the two sides set to play for the title on Saturday in Doha. Brazil and Argentina will look to close their campaigns with a medal in the bronze medal match.

Brazil and Argentina will play for bronze at 14:00, before France and Iran take the court for the gold medal match at 17:00.

France are through to Saturday’s final after coming from a set down to defeat Brazil 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-21), powered by a 28-point performance from Antonin Bonnard. Jaden Ebagne Yon added 21 points as the French turned the match after a tight opening set, outscoring Brazil 54-48 in attack and 9-5 in blocks.

Brazil had the first big finish, wiping out a 21-23 deficit with four straight points to take the opener 25-23. France responded with Bonnard beginning to impose himself in attack and from the service line, including consecutive aces that helped open the gap on the way to a 25-19 second-set win. The outside hitter would finish with 28 points from 24 attacks, three blocks and an ace.

The third stayed close at 17-16 before France created some separation when Bonnard stopped Lucca Perazzo Amaral Ferreira at the net and Ebagne Yon continued to apply pressure as the lead grew to 23-18. Brazil saved two set points, but Bonnard eventually put away the winner at 25-21 to give France their first lead in the match.

Brazil kept the fourth tight through Arthur Lima and Lorenzo José Trentin, who finished with 12 points apiece, while Lucas Dultra contributed 10. Their production helped keep the teams level at 16-16 and Brazil within striking distance at 22-21, when Ebagne Yon delivered on consecutive attacks to bring up three match points.

Brazil challenged the final play for a block touch, but the decision stood and France completed another 25-21 win. Bonnard and Ebagne Yon combined for 49 points, while Ebagne Yon’s four blocks and Enzo Savalli’s two helped France build a 9-5 advantage at the net to go with their 54-48 edge in attack.

Ebagne Yon credited that defensive work, as well as the atmosphere within the French team, after reaching the final.

“I’m incredibly happy to win this match and reach the World Championship final. France have a very strong youth program, and once again we have a French team in a final. I think what made the difference today was our defense. We enjoy being together and enjoying this competition, and maybe that is something different about our team. I’m very happy to be in the final,” Ebagne Yon said.

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Iran completed the gold medal matchup with France after sweeping Argentina 3-0 (25-19, 29-27, 25-13), with captain Sina Hazrati leading a balanced performance with 23 points. Arash Ashrafi added 15 and Azhvan Namazi scored 10 as Iran produced 52 attack points to Argentina’s 26 and held an 8-5 advantage in blocks.

Argentina made Iran work early before the Asian side began to pull away late in the opening set. Sina provided the main attacking outlet, while Iran also found points through Arash and Azhvan as they created enough separation to take the opener 25-19. Argentina captain Valentin Tomas Bianchi carried much of his team’s attack and would finish as their leading scorer with 13 points, all from attacks.

The match came closest to turning in the second, when Argentina stayed with Iran all the way into extra points. Neither side could put the set away until Sina broke the 27-27 deadlock with an attack for 28-27, before Arash finished the next rally to secure a 29-27 win after Argentina’s challenge for a net touch was unsuccessful. The two-point finish gave Iran a 2-0 lead after the most demanding stretch of the semifinal.

Iran carried that finish straight into the third, where their work at the net and in defense began to open the match up. Monib Sheikh was particularly effective in the middle, contributing three blocks among his nine points, while Sina continued to convert in attack. Iran moved from 12-9 to 16-9 as Monib and Sina made their presence felt at the net, then continued to stretch the advantage until Argentina had little room left to respond.

The lead reached 23-12 when Azhvan finished another transition play, and Iran closed the set 25-13 to complete the sweep.

Libero Parsa Maghsoudi, who was repeatedly involved in Iran’s defensive work and transition play, pointed to the team’s energy and concentration as important parts of the performance.

“We played a good match and had a good performance throughout. Our opponent was very good and played well, and we analyzed the match closely. I hope that tomorrow we'll win again,” Parsa said.

“The energy from Iran was very strong today. I was especially active, trying to show my performance throughout the whole match. We try to keep a good energy and a good atmosphere about winning, and that's what took us to the final. I try to talk about the positive side of things and remind all of our players to keep good concentration.”

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