The stage is nearly set for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship as the first delegations touch down in Manila ahead of Friday’s grand opening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
South Korea, ranked No. 25 in the world, was the earliest to arrive on Saturday, following the entry of Alas Pilipinas’ Pool A rivals Iran and Tunisia a day earlier. Qatar and Ukraine were set to land in the evening.
More teams are expected in the coming days: Slovenia, Poland, Germany, Argentina, and Algeria on Sunday; Canada and Turkiye on Monday; while defending champions Italy and Pool A contender Egypt will follow on Tuesday.
A massive wave of arrivals is scheduled on Wednesday, with squads from Japan, USA, Netherlands, Czechia, Colombia, Chile, Bulgaria, Libya, Serbia, and Finland all touching down. Closing the parade on Thursday are powerhouse teams Cuba, France, Brazil, Belgium, and China.
Alas Pilipinas headlines Pool A at the MOA Arena, opening its campaign against world No. 43 Tunisia on Friday at 4:30 PM.
The match will be followed by a vibrant opening ceremony featuring K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR. The Filipinos then face No. 23 Egypt on Sept. 16 and No. 13 Iran on Sept. 18.
World No. 1 Poland, fresh off its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) triumph, anchors Pool B with the Netherlands (No. 19), Qatar (No. 20), and Romania (No. 22) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available through the official website philippineswch2025.com.
Led by VNL Best Setter Simone Gianelli and Best Outside Hitter Alessandro Michieletto, defending champion Italy headlines Pool F alongside Ukraine (No. 14), Belgium (No. 17), and Algeria (No. 88), also at the Big Dome.
Olympic MVP Earvin Ngapeth leads world No. 4 France in Pool C, grouped with Argentina (No. 9), Finland (No. 18), and South Korea (No. 25).
VNL perennial contender and crowd favorite Japan banners Pool G with Canada (No. 11), Turkiye (No. 16), and Libya (No. 75).
At the MOA Arena, elite setter Maique Nascimento anchors Brazil in Pool H together with Serbia (No. 12), Czechia (No. 21), and China (No. 25).
Slovenia leads Pool E, battling No. 8 Germany, Bulgaria (No. 15), and Chile (No. 29).
Pool D features Olympic bronze medalist USA (No. 6), joined by Cuba (No. 10), Portugal (No. 28), and Colombia (No. 46).
The tournament is organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) under president Ramon “Tats” Suzara and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC). It is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PAGCOR, the Office of the President, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Major sponsors include Rebisco, SM, PLDT, Smart, Metro Pacific Investments, Honda Philippines, Meralco, Sony, Lenovo, and LRT Line 2. Official partners are Volleyball World, Mikasa (official ball), Mizuno, Gerflor, and Senoh Corporation.
