Manuel Zlatanov, the 17-year-old Italian outside hitter, headlines the impressive roster announcements for the 2025 FIVB Boys' U19 World Championship set to begin this July in Uzbekistan. The grandson of Bulgarian legend Dimitar Zlatanov and son of former Italian star Hristo Zlatanov brings his MVP credentials from last year's U17 World Championship to the bigger stage.
The tournament, scheduled for July 24 to August 3 in Tashkent, has generated significant buzz as teams have released their extended rosters featuring tomorrow's potential volleyball stars.
"The rosters are subject to eligibility checks by the FIVB," tournament organizers noted when publishing the team selections.
Zlatanov won't be alone in representing Italy's formidable squad. His teammates from the U17 Dream Team – opposite Federico Argano and middle blocker Martino Bigozzi – join him under the leadership of captain Alessandro Benacchio, who earned Dream Team honors at the 2024 U18 European Championship.
France, the European continental champions, brings their full Dream Team contingent to Uzbekistan – MVP outside hitter Noa Duflos Rossi, setter Theo Martzluff, opposite Ino Dukic, and libero Guillaume Respaut.
Interestingly, many participating teams are showcasing their continental tournament standouts. Argentina, the South American champions, will feature 16-year-old Federico Debonis, who claimed MVP honors at their regional championship, alongside Dream Team selections Felipe Santarelli and Ezequiel Parera.
Asian champions China will be captained by Ding Haocheng, last year's Asian Championship MVP, while NORCECA winners USA bring their full complement of continental Dream Team selections, including MVP Aleksey Mikhailenko.
African champions Tunisia follow the pattern with their continental MVP Yahiya Jemai and Dream Team members Ilyess Alimi and Mahdi Ayari making the roster.
The tournament roster announcements also feature continental standouts from Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, and Poland – making this truly a global showcase of volleyball's rising talent. Will any of these young stars use this championship as their springboard to senior-level success?
