The Pool Stage of the Men’s World Championship in the Philippines has proven that volleyball’s global landscape is changing. While traditional giants such as Poland, Italy, and the USA—even with a reshuffled squad since the Olympic Games—continue to display their trademark quality, several new teams are beginning to make their presence felt on the international stage.
The first phase of the tournament also delivered major shocks. Powerhouses like France, Brazil, and Japan bowed out earlier than expected, leaving space for surprising breakthroughs. Finland, Czechia, Türkiye, Portugal and Belgium stood out as some of the positive stories, while the host nation, the Philippines, celebrated a historic victory. They came heartbreakingly close to advancing, falling just one point short in a narrow 2–3 defeat to Iran, one of Asia’s strongest teams.
Not all sides impressed. Germany disappointed, and Egypt, long considered Africa’s leading team, fell short of expectations. Meanwhile, Tunisia offered glimpses of a comeback, slowly rebuilding its position in world volleyball. Canada maintained consistency, as did Slovenia, Iran, and the Netherlands. Iran advanced to the next stage, but with many questions surrounding their expected level of play—they will need to show much more in the elimination round.
Despite these twists, one reality remains: Europe still leads the way. Out of 16 teams advancing to the knockout stage, 11 hail from Europe. Even with financial difficulties, European federations continue to nurture talent and sustain their dominance.
Elsewhere, Asia is steadily climbing. With Ramon Suzara now at the helm of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, there is optimism for faster development. His influence is already visible in the progress of the Philippines’ national team and in the strengthening of club volleyball across the country.
In South America, familiar names remain at the forefront. Argentina and Brazil continue to represent the region, though Brazil’s performance fell below expectations. Yet their elimination came by the narrowest of margins—decided by just a single set in a pool where they managed two wins and one loss, the defeat coming at the hands of Serbia.
As the championship moves forward, one thing is certain: fans can expect more intensity, drama, and top-class volleyball. The Pool Stage has already delivered storylines of hope, heartbreak, and surprises, setting the stage for a thrilling knockout round.
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