Draws announced for AVC Men’s Cup 2026; Pakistan grouped with Korea and Qatar
Draws announced for AVC Men’s Cup 2026; Pakistan grouped with Korea and Qatar
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) has officially announced the draws for the inaugural AVC Men’s Cup 2026. The high-stakes tournament, scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad, India, serves as a crucial qualifying event for the World Championship taking place from June 20 to 28.
Pakistan has been placed in Pool B, where they will face stiff competition from South Korea, Qatar, Indonesia, Thailand, and Oman. Meanwhile, Pool A features host nation India alongside Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Kazakhstan, and New Zealand.
The winner of this prestigious tournament will earn a direct qualification spot for the World Volleyball Championship slated for August.
Despite the official draw, sources suggest that Pakistan’s participation in the event remains highly uncertain due to the complex nature of Pak-India diplomatic relations. Official clearance for the national team to travel across the border has yet to be confirmed, casting a shadow over the Green Shirts’ opportunity to qualify for the global showpiece.
In a separate announcement, the AVC confirmed that the Women’s Cup 2026 will be hosted in Cainta, Philippines, from June 6 to 14.
The women’s edition will feature a diverse lineup, including the hosts Philippines, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.
