THE 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship will stage its biggest group phase yet with a record 32 teams onboard.
That entails a total of 48 matches split between the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and the state-of-the-art Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City over a one-week window.
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As such, it’s a given that all three of Alas Pilipinas’ group stage matches against Tunisia (Sep. 12), Egypt (Sep. 16) and Iran (Sep. 18) should be backed by the legions of Filipino volleyball fans in the coming days.
But with so much more world-class volleyball action also set to hit local shores, here’s a quick peek at some of the must-watch games outside the Philippines’ games.
POOL A: Egypt vs Tunisia
Sep. 18 | Thursday | 1:30 p.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
Two of African volleyball’s most successful nations, sharing 20 continental titles, landed on the same pool in this year’s FIVB Worlds.
Both challengers to the Philippines’ bid for a knockouts spot, world No. 43 Tunisia and No. 23 Egypt will both vie to carry over their regional success to the world stage without their star spikers onboard.
Tunisia will be without ace winger Wassim Ben Tara while Egypt will miss the services of team captain Mohamed Adel.
POOL B: Poland vs Netherlands
Sep. 17 | Wednesday | 6 p.m. | Smart Araneta Coliseum
The first phase of Poland’s redemption tour in the group stage will culminate in a marquee duel with the Netherlands.
For the world No. 1 and reigning FIVB Worlds silver medalists, it’s all hands on deck to restore lost glory with the likes of power hitter Wilfredo Leon, newly-crowned VNL MVP Jakub Kochanowski and captain Bartosz Kurek showing the way.
Making such an ordeal tougher for the Dutch side is the absence of their skipper and longtime pillar in Nimir Abdel-Aziz for this tournament.
POOL C: France vs Argentina
Sep. 18 | Thursday | 6 p.m. | Smart Araneta Coliseum
The reigning Olympic champion now has a bigger goal in sight, but will have to first hurdle past a South American giant in world No. 9 Argentina.
The Frenchmen will be out in force, with Trevor Clevenot, Theo Faure and Antoine Brizard up front to clear their path for a first FIVB Worlds medal in 23 years.
Meanwhile, mainstay middle blocker Agustin Loser looks to block France’s bid alongside veteran spiker Luciano Palonsky.
POOL D: USA vs Cuba
Sep. 17 | Wednesday | 5:30 p.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
Headlining Pool D action is a North American derby between the United States and Cuba.
Both in the top 10 of world men’s volleyball, there is no shortage of stars in either teams with fan favorites Micah Christenson and Erik Shoji manning the front for Team USA.
Meanwhile, Cuban volleyball will celebrate the comeback of one of its homegrown sporting icons in decorated middle blocker Robertlandy Simon.
POOL E: Slovenia vs Germany
Sep. 17 | Wednesday | 9 p.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
Way up the pecking order of the world’s best are European giants Slovenia and Germany, ranked seventh and eighth respectively.
Sans another crowd darling and star winger in Rok Mozic, the Slovenians will turn to bemedalled brothers Toncek and Ziga Stern to pave the way for a knockout stage berth.
For the Germans, whose men’s basketball team ruled the last World Championship to be held in Manila, veteran experience will be key with the likes of György Grozer and Moritz Reichert raring to go.
POOL F: Italy vs. Ukraine
Sep. 18 | Thursday | 9:30 p.m. | Smart Araneta Coliseum
Italy, the defending world champions, might be the lone top 10 team in their pool, but there’s one gritty rival seeking redemption from a fierce duel in VNL 2025.
No. 14 Ukraine gave the Azzurri a run for its money in pool play of the VNL earlier this year in a riveting five-set clash the Italians ended up winning.
Reigning FIVB Worlds MVP Simone Giannelli, Ale Michielleto and Yuri Romano are out to repulse Ukrainian star hitters Dmytro Yanchuk and Vasyl Tupchii in the 48th and final match of this year’s group stage.
POOL G: Japan vs. Canada
Sep. 15 | Monday | 1 p.m. | Smart Araneta Coliseum
Backed by its home crowd away from home, Japan has its toughest test for last in Pool G against Canada.
Ryujin Nippon stars Ran Takahashi and Yuki Ishikawa won’t have their co-star Yuji Nishida along for the ride, but will not run short of power with opposite hitter Kento Miyaura taking over.
Two star spikers short in Eric Loeppky and Arthur Szwarc, Canada will bank on the leadership and scoring prowess of captain Nicholas Hoag to see them through the fan favorite side.
POOL H: Brazil vs. Serbia
Sep. 18 | Thursday | 10 a.m. | Mall of Asia Arena
Bagging the bronze in the last FIVB Worlds will be Brazil’s fuel to take it up a notch in this year’s competition.
With a national team pillar in Ricardo Lucarelli and sibling act Darlan and Alan Souza as its anchors, Brazil is ready to pounce on a stacked pool to further extend its six-tournament podium streak.
Standing in their way at end of pool play is one of Europe’s on-the-rise ace spiker-blocker duo Veljko Masulovic and Aleksandar Nedeljkovic.
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