The 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship gets underway on Friday, September 12, in Manila, Philippines, where 32 national teams will compete for global supremacy. The tournament will be staged across two major venues — the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena — and will run through to September 28, featuring a total of 66 matches.
Only the top two teams from each of the eight pools will advance to the high-stakes knockout stage.
Pool-by-Pool Breakdown
Pool A – Host Nation Debuts on the Global Stage
The Philippines make their World Championship debut, pinning their hopes on homegrown stars Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas. Despite the absence of injured Amin Esmaeilnezhad, Iran remain favorites, led by the talented Amirhossein Esfandiar. Egypt look to Abdelrhman Elhossiny for firepower, while Tunisia rely on veteran opposite Hamza Nagga.
Pool B – Poland Aim to Reassert Dominance
World No.1 Poland enter as group favorites, boasting a powerhouse squad led by Wilfredo León and Bartosz Kurek. The Netherlands, without star Nimir Abdel-Aziz, shift focus to Bennie Tuinstra. Qatar’s dynamic Ibrahim Mohamed S Ibrahim poses a serious threat, and Romania mark a long-awaited return after a 40-year absence.
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Pool C – France Chase Elusive World Title
Olympic champions France, guided by Jean Patry, seek their first world crown. Argentina will be competitive with Pablo Koukartsev and Luciano Palonsky leading the charge. Finland’s scoring hopes rest on Joonas Jokela, while Korea counter with Lim Dong-Hyeok.
Pool D – Powerhouses Collide
Team USA return a strong lineup featuring Micah Christenson, Taylor Averill, and key attacker Kyle Ensing. Cuba brings high-octane offense through Miguel Ángel López and Marlon Yant. Portugal’s Alexandre Ferreira offers experience, and debutants Colombia look to make their mark.
Pool E – Slovenia and Germany Face Off
Slovenia, despite missing Rok Možič, remain dangerous with Tonček Štern and Tine Urnaut. Germany field the veteran presence of György Grozer. Bulgaria’s Aleksandar Nikolov is expected to shine, while Chile counts on Dusan Bonacic and Vicente Parraguirre.
Pool F – Italy Lead the Charge
Even in the absence of Daniele Lavia, Italy’s depth makes them the clear group favorites. Ukraine and Belgium are expected to battle closely for second place, while Algeria seek valuable international exposure.
Pool G – Japan Front-Runners
Japan enter as group leaders, with Canada and Türkiye set for a tight race for the second qualifying spot. Libya, while unlikely to progress, gain crucial tournament experience.
Pool H – Brazil’s Depth Sets Them Apart
Brazil’s well-rounded squad is tipped to top the group. Serbia, Czechia, and China are in contention for the second berth, with Serbia slightly favored to advance.
Favorites and Dark Horses
Traditional volleyball heavyweights Poland, France, USA, Slovenia, Italy, Japan, and Brazil are widely expected to win their respective groups. However, the race for second place in several pools remains wide open — setting the stage for potential surprises as the tournament progresses.
