Pool C features dominant forces and promising challengers as Top 10 teams France and Argentina collide with lower-ranked Finland and South Korea at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Powerhouses will meet up-and-coming contenders in Pool C of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, with hostilities shifting across two venues after the opening ceremonies on September 12.
Over at the heart of Quezon City, Pool C action pits Olympic champion France against the likes of World No. 9 Argentina and upset-seeking squads Finland and South Korea in first round action starting September 14.
After failing to defend their title at the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), Team Yavbou will be out for redemption. But the three other teams will be looking to pull off some surprises against the Olympic champions.
Let’s take a closer look at all four squads in Pool C.
France
World Ranking: #4
There won’t be any shortage of motivation to bounce back for the French spikers after they were unable to defend their title – and miss out on the podium – in the 2025 VNL, finishing fifth in the tournament leading up to Worlds.
The two-time Olympic champions are also facing a two-decade long drought for a medal in Worlds, having last won the bronze back in 2002—which is still their best result in the tournament.
Aiming to improve on their fifth place finish in 2022 when they reached the quarterfinals, France will be looking to restore some form of order in the pool phase.
Key players:
- Theo Faure - Faure was France’s main offensive weapon at the VNL, where he finished as the second top scorer overall in the tournament. Having extensive winning experience with the team, he’ll be looking to lead the cavalry in Manila.
- Antoine Brizard - France’s playmaker has a lengthy resume, with Brizard having been part of squads that won twice in both the Olympic Games and in the VNL, flashing hardware in orchestrating his team’s offense.
- Trevor Clevenot - Clevenot is among France’s key mainstays having tons of experience in the national team. He was named Best Outside Spiker in the 2024 Paris Olympics where he helped the host team to the gold medal. He was also recognized with the same award in the 2022 VNL.
Argentina
World Ranking: #9
Having proven they can compete with the best before, Argentina will be seeking a breakthrough in the World Championship after reaching the quarterfinals in 2022.
Argentina is coming off of a 13th place finish at the VNL earlier this year and will also be gunning for their first medal in Worlds for more than 40 years, having last won the bronze medal when they hosted the tournament in 1982.
All eyes are going to be on whether or not La Seleccion can keep up and continue their push in the Top 10 teams in the world.
Key players:
- Luciano Palonsky - As Argentina’s key opposite hitter, Palonsky was the best performer in terms of scoring for his team in the VNL. He will be heavily leaned on to manufacture points for Argentina against defensive road blocks.
- Matias Sanchez Pages - Sanchez Pages displayed his playmaking skills heading into the World Championship, being the third-best setter in the VNL. Now with Argentina’s arsenal at his disposal, he will have to keep defenses guessing with his decision making.
Finland
World Ranking: #18
Finland is aiming to translate its success in continental tournaments onto the bigger stage after ruling the 2025 European Volleyball League – their first title.
Despite missing out on the last edition of Worlds in 2022, there has been a lot of promise surrounding the team in recent years. Despite not having played in the VNL ever, Finland has been on an upward trend.
They flaunt a 9th place best finish in the World Championship which they registered back in 2014.
Key players:
- Joonas Jokela - Jokela represents the promise of brilliance of Finland as one of their main attackers. He recently won the MVP in the European Volleyball League after pacing his team to the breakthrough title.
- Aaro Nikula - As one of the team’s consistent scorers, Nikula will be needing to take some of the pressure off of Jokela in the hopes of Finland becoming a more legitimate threat against defenses.
South Korea
World Ranking: #25
As the lowest ranked team in the pool, South Korea will be seeking upsets early on in the World Championship as they try to make it out of the pool phase—their first taste of action in the tournament in 11 years.
Though missing out on the VNL in its last six editions, South Korea has been making strides in continental and zonal tournaments.
During the AVC Nations Cup in Bahrain, the Koreans finished fourth.
Key players:
- Heo Soo-bong - Soo-bong emerged as one of South Korea’s weapons in the Nations League. Now faced with bigger and better opponents, he will be vying to maintain his lethality to lead his team’s upset hopes.
- Tae-Jun Han - Han, as one of the younger setters of South Korea, will be tasked with the difficult assignment of having to facilitate the team’s offense against taller blockers, having to face defenders from Europe and South America.
Pool C Match Schedule
- September 14 (Sunday), 10:30 a.m. - Argentina vs Finland
- September 14 (Sunday), 6:00 p.m. - France vs South Korea
- September 16 (Tuesday), 10:30 a.m. - Argentina vs South Korea
- September 16 (Tuesday), 6:00 p.m. - France vs Finland
- September 18 (Thursday), 10:30 a.m. - Finland vs South Korea
- September 18 (Thurday), 6:00 p.m. - Argentina vs France
Only the top two teams from Pool C will make it to the Round of 16, putting more at stake for each of the pool phase matches.
With a single game possibly swinging the results drastically, all teams will be on high alert from the get-go.
Tickets for the FIVB World Championship is available via www.philippineswch2025.com