Perennial fan favorites Japan and USA headline the top challengers to powerhouse nations Poland, Italy, Brazil, and France in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025, which fires off from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With Ran Takahashi and captain Yuki Ishikawa leading the way, the world No.5 Ryujin Nippon will bank on an expected pro-Japanese crowd as they look to break free from a string of early exits in their recent major tournaments.
After quarterfinal finishes at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2025 Volleyball Nations League, Japan is eyeing a deeper run this time as one of the most beloved squads of the volleyball-crazed Filipino crowd.
Meanwhile, the world No.6 Americans — led by star setter Micah Christenson, libero captain Erik Shoji, and Paris Olympics Second Best Middle Blocker Taylor Averill — are also expected to draw huge support in Manila, a boost that could power their campaign.
USA, which placed sixth in the 2022 World Championship, arrives in the Philippines riding the momentum of a bronze-medal finish in the Paris Olympics.
Japan leads Pool G with Canada, Turkey and Libya, while USA is in Pool D with Cuba, Portugal and Colombia.
But standing in their way are the tournament’s heavyweights — world No.1 Poland, reigning world champion Italy, world No.3 Brazil, and Olympic gold medalist France — entering the 32-team world tilt as the clear favorites to reign supreme.
The historic event is organized by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also chairs the Local Organizing Committee alongside Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
Other potential dark horses include Germany (No.8), Argentina (No.9), and Cuba (No.10) as the 32 squads enter the final stage of preparations for the Manila tournament.
The event is backed by Rebisco, SM, PLDT, SMART, Metro Pacific Investments, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, and LRT Line 2; officially sanctioned by the FIVB; and partnered with Volleyball World, with Mikasa as the official ball, and Mizuno, Gerflor, and Senoh Corporation as technical partners.
Home team Alas Pilipinas, world No.82, spearheads Pool A with No.13 Iran; African champion and No.23 Egypt; as well as No.42 Tunisia.
As host, the Philippines will open the 32-team conclave against 11-time African champion Tunisia on September 12 at the MOA Arena after a star-studded opening ceremony to be headlined by K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR.
Tickets are available via the official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com.
