The draw for the competition took place on March 16, and the 18 participating teams were divided into six groups.
In the group stage, teams will compete against each other, and at the end of this stage, the top two teams from each group (a total of 12 teams) will advance to the playoffs. The group winners will face the second-placed teams from other groups, determined by a draw.
The Iranian team has been grouped with Hong Kong and Iraq. If Iran’s volleyballers defeat their rivals during the knockout stage, the team will qualify among the top four teams.
If the Japanese top their group and win in the direct elimination match, they will reach the semi-finals, while the remaining two semi-finalists will be determined by two more competitions between the winners of the knockout stage.
Group A: Iran, Hong Kong, Iraq
Group B: Japan, Uzbekistan, Thailand
Group C: China, Kazakhstan, Indonesia
Group D: Chinese Taipei, Bahrain, Mongolia
Group E: Qatar, India, Afghanistan
Group F: Pakistan, South Korea, Bangladesh
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