By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Crowd favorites Japan and the USA are expected to pull off surprises in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2025, set to be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart-Araneta Coliseum from Sept. 12 to 28.
Led by Yuji Nishida, Ran Takahashi, and skipper Yuki Ishikawa, the world’s No. 5 Ryujin Nippon, will try to bounce back after quarterfinal finishes at the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2025 Volleyball Nations League.
USA, currently at No. 6, will be spearheaded by star setter Micah Christenson, libero captain Erik Shoji, and Paris Second Best Middle Blocker Taylor Averill.
The Americans placed sixth in the 2022 edition of the Worlds. They will be heading to Manila riding the crest of a bronze medal finish at the Paris Olympics.
Slovenia, the world’s No. 7, is also a title contender, having reached the semifinal in all major tournaments behind the leadership of super spiker Rok Mozic.
Slovenia was fifth in Paris and finished fourth in the 2022 world championship and 2025 VNL. Japan leads Pool G, with Canada, Turkiye, and Libya.
The USA is in Pool D, with Cuba, Portugal, and Colombia, while Slovenia faces Germany, Bulgaria, and Chile in Pool E.
Germany (No. 8), Argentina (No. 9), and Cuba (No. 10) are the other dark horses. Alas Pilipinas, world No. 82, spearheads Pool A with No. 13 Iran, African champion and No. 23 Egypt, as well as No. 42 Tunisia.
The tournament big guns are the world’s No. 1 Poland, defending FIVB Men’s World champion Italy, and world’s No. 3 and Paris Olympics gold medalist Brazil.
As host, the Philippines will open the 32-team conclave against 11-time African champion Tunisia at the MOA Arena on Sept. 12 after a star-studded opening ceremony to be headlined by K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR. (PNA)
