Japan and Team USA arrive in Manila as potential dark horses at the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship, armed with talent and momentum to challenge volleyball’s traditional powerhouses.
The kings of volleyball are coming to Manila—but they won’t go unchallenged.
Italy, Poland, France, and Brazil may be the heavy favorites, but as the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship unfolds from September 12 to 28 in Manila, Japan and the United States are primed to flipt the script.
For Japan, the mission is redemption.
Once celebrated as Asia’s sleeping giant, the Ryujin Nippon have stalled at the quarterfinal stage in three straight global tournaments, including last year's Olympics.
Yet this time feels different.
With Ran Takahashi’s electrifying flair and captain Yuki Ishikawa’s steady leadership, the fifth-ranked Japanese carry not only improved depth but also a Filipino fanbase that has embraced them as their own.
Team USA, meanwhile, will arrive with momentum and swagger.
Fresh off a bronze medal at the Olympics in Paris, the no. 6 Americans bring a star-studded lineup led by setter Micah Christenson, libero Erik Shoji, and middle powerhouse Taylor Averill.
Having already taken down reigning champion Italy in the past, Team USA is hungry to prove it deserves a seat back in volleyball’s inner circle.
Slovenia, led by star spiker Rok Mozic, also lurks as a dangerous dark horse, having come close to podium finishes in every major event of the last four years.
Germany, Argentina, and Cuba round out the field of would-be spoilers, ensuring that the “Big Four” will have little room to breathe.
Meanwhile, host squad Alas Pilipinas open Pool A against Tunisia on September 12, backed by an opening ceremony headlined by K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR.
Tickets are available via philippineswch2025.com