Fan-favorite Team USA and the fast-rising Slovenia will open their respective pool play of the FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, September 13.
Three-time VNL bronze medalist United States and World No. 8 Slovenia will open their respective 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship campaigns Saturday, September 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The sixth-ranked Americans face Colombia in Pool D at 10:00 a.m. to start the day’s matches.
Aiming for a deeper run after a quarterfinal loss to Poland in 2022, the USA has since earned silver at the 2023 VNL and claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: USA clinches bronze medal in men’s volleyball after shutting door on Italy]
This will be the United States’ 18th appearance in the tournament.
Colombia, ranked no. 41, makes its tournament debut after a podium finish at the 2023 South American Championship.
In the other Pool D match, Cuba faces Portugal at 1:30 p.m.
The Cubans are making their 17th appearance in the Worlds and are seeking their first medal since finishing runner-up in 2010.
With a history that includes silver finishes in 1990 and 2010 and bronze medals in 1978 and 1998, Cuba is eager to prove it remains a podium threat.
Portugal, on the other hand, is making its first tournament appearance since 2002.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool D of the FIVB Men’s World Championship]
Over in Pool E, Germany begins its quest against Bulgaria in a 5:30 p.m. showdown.
The Germans, who are ranked eighth, are determined to erase memories of their 2022 disappointment, when they bowed out early.
Their opponents are no pushovers, as Bulgaria owns a record four bronze medals and has long carried a reputation for spoiling heavyweight campaigns.
The day ends in Pasay with Slovenia locking horns with underdog Chile at 9:00 p.m.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE, RESULTS | 32 teams compete in 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
Slovenia is making its third consecutive World Championship appearance after a surprising run in 2022, where it fell to Brazil in the bronze medal match.
Since then, the team reached back-to-back VNL semifinals, claimed bronze at the 2023 European Championships, and made its Olympic debut in Paris last year.
Chile, on the other hand, returns to the tournament for the first time since 1982 and are out to prove they deserve to compete against the world’s best.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool E of the FIVB Men's World Championship]
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]