Quezon City takes the spotlight as defending VNL champion Poland and Asian powerhouse Japan open the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
World no. 1 Poland and Asian powerhouse Japan and defending VNL champion Poland take center stage Saturday, September 13, as the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship swings to the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The reigning VNL champions collide against Romania at 9:30 p.m.
After back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2018, Poland was denied a three-peat in 2022 by eventual winner Italy.
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Now, as reigning Olympic silver medalists, they enter the 2025 edition in Manila with both redemption and a fourth world crown in their sights.
[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: France defends Olympic gold in men’s volleyball after sweeping world no. 1 Poland]
Romania, making its first Worlds appearance since 1982, plays the underdog role with nothing to lose.
Ryujin Nippon, ranked no. 5 in the world, launches its Pool G bid against Türkiye at 2 p.m.
Japan is chasing redemption after a stunning Round of 16 exit in 2022 against Brazil.
This marks the country’s 17th appearance at the Worlds, with podium history that includes bronze medals in 1970 and 1974.
Türkiye, the world’s No. 16 team, is eager to build momentum after qualifying for consecutive editions following a long drought between 2002 and 2018.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool G of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
The day begins early at 10:30 a.m. with Canada testing Libya in the curtain-raiser.
The Canadians are in their 13th Worlds appearance but are still searching for their first trip to the knockout rounds.
Libya, meanwhile, returns to the global stage for the first time since 1982, riding momentum from a bronze-medal finish at the 2023 African Men’s Volleyball Championship.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool G of the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship]
In between those blockbusters, the Netherlands and Qatar square off at 6 p.m.
The Dutch, competing in their 14th Worlds, still chase glory beyond their lone silver in 1994.
Qatar, back-to-back qualifiers after earning bronze at the 2023 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship, is looking to carve out its own foothold in the global game.
[ALSO READ: Everything you need to know about Pool B 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.]