Iran cap an unbeaten campaign with their first U17 world title, while Brazil complete the podium with bronze
Published 05:54, 29 Aug 2026
Iran completed an unbeaten run to claim the world title with a four-set victory over France, while Brazil defeated Argentina by the same margin to secure the bronze medal on the final day of the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys’ U17 World Championship on Saturday.
Iran claimed the gold medal with a 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-12) victory over France, completing an unbeaten campaign with their biggest win of the tournament.
The new world champions established the early advantage, taking the opening set 25-18 before extending their lead with a 25-15 second. Setter Akam Ebrahimnezhad distributed the ball across several attacking options, with Sina Hazrati, Arash Ashrafi and Azhvan Namazi giving France different threats to contain as Iran moved two sets ahead.
That variety in attack was reinforced from the service line. Iran finished with 10 aces, including three each from Hazrati and Ashrafi and two from Ebrahimnezhad, using their serve to put pressure on France and create more opportunities through their block and defense.
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France found its response in the third set. Antonin Bonnard remained the main attacking option, while Jaden Ebagne Yon and Enzo Savalli helped the French stay in front through the closing stages. Ebagne Yon put away the attack that completed the 25-22 set, cutting Iran’s lead to 2-1 and sending the final into a fourth.
Iran quickly re-established its advantage. An 8-4 lead grew to 16-8 as Namazi made his presence felt at the net and Iran continued to turn defensive plays into attacking opportunities. The gap continued to grow through the latter stages, putting Iran in position to close out the championship.
Hazrati led Iran with 19 points from 16 attacks and three aces, while Ashrafi finished with 17 from 14 attacks and three aces. Namazi contributed 16 points, including a match-high four blocks, while Amirreza Faramarzidarghelou added nine points and Monib Sheikh seven.
France continued to have a reliable source of points in Bonnard, who led all scorers with 22, all in attack. Ebagne Yon added 12 points and Savalli nine as the silver medalists finished with 43 attack points and seven blocks against an Iranian side that produced 56 points in attack.
Iran carried a 24-12 lead into the final rally, keeping the ball alive through a long exchange before Hazrati put away the last attack for a 25-12 fourth set and the world title. The victory completed Iran’s unbeaten championship campaign and brought the country its first Boys’ U17 world title.
Sina Hazrati led Iran with 19 points against France in the final of the 2026 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U17 World Championship in Doha.
“We worked very hard for this title, and winning it is the result of everything the team has put into this tournament,” Hazrati said. “We prepared very well for France and knew we had to put pressure on them with our serve, block and defense and create opportunities from our digging. I am also very thankful to our fans for the energy they gave us and especially to my family. Without their support, I would not be here, so this championship means a lot to all of us.”
Brazil had to work its way onto the podium after Argentina took the opening set. The response came quickly, with the Brazilians settling into their game and beginning to dictate play at the net, taking the next three sets to complete a 3-1 (21-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-13) victory and claim the bronze medal.
At the heart of that turnaround was Brazil’s blocking, which produced 14 points and became increasingly difficult for Argentina to play through. Lucas Pereira de Abreu was responsible for seven of those blocks in a 12-point performance, while Lucas de Paula Dultra added four blocks among his 11 points and Enzo de Macedo Silva Salgueiro finished with 11.
That presence at the net gave Brazil a platform for Lorenzo José Trentin to make his mark in attack. The outside hitter put away 18 attacks and added an ace for 19 points. Argentina continued to find points through captain Valentin Tomas Bianchi, who matched Trentin with 19, while Juan Bautista Alonso Rigone added 11 and Juan Manuel Alonso Rigone 10.
The result carried significance beyond the medal itself for Abreu, who reflected on how Brazil responded after missing out on a place in the final.
“I’m really happy and proud because we did the best we could. It was really hard losing in the semifinals and not making the final, but we still had the chance to bring a medal home, and we did that,” Lucas Abreu said.
“It feels like a revival for Brazil because, for many years, we hadn’t come this close to the semifinals or the podium. I’m really happy to bring this third place to Brazil, and I want to thank everyone who helped me get here. Everyone has a story behind reaching this moment, and there are so many people who helped me along the way.”
Bronze for Brazil: The team have returned to the podium of a junior World Championship.
Captain Pedro Berlitz de Almeida also took pride in closing the tournament with another victory over their South American rivals, Brazil’s third against Argentina in Doha.
“I’m really honored and happy to represent Brazil as captain and to lead this team to a medal. Brazil and Argentina have a huge rivalry in every sport, and we knew they were a very good team, but we played really well and were able to beat them all three times we faced them,” Pedro said. “I’m very proud of what we achieved together, and I want to thank my family and everyone who supported us.”
