The Women’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 preliminary phase concluded on Sunday, with the United States finishing top of the standings and Canada and Japan securing the final two places in the Finals, which will be held in Macao from July 22-28.
The quarterfinal pairings are now confirmed, with the United States facing host China, Italy meeting the Netherlands, Brazil taking on Japan, and Türkiye playing Canada.
The Americans secured the No. 1 seed after defeating Brazil in straight sets, 26-24, 25-22, 25-16, in Osaka. Avery Skinner led the way with 21 points, while Jordan Thompson added 16 as the three-time VNL champions finished with 10 wins and 29 points. Brazil ended the preliminary round third with nine victories.
Italy claimed second place after surviving a five-set battle against China in Hong Kong. Ekaterina Antropova scored 28 points in the defending champions 3-2 victory, while China advanced to the Finals as host nation despite finishing ninth overall.
Türkiye secured fourth place with a 3-1 win over Thailand behind 25 points from Melissa Vargas, while Canada booked fifth place after defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1, powered by Kiera Van Ryk (21 points) and Alexa Gray (20).
Japan claimed the final Finals berth in dramatic fashion, rallying from two sets down to defeat Poland 3-2 in Osaka. Yukiko Wada starred with 27 points as Japan finished sixth. The Netherlands, already qualified, ended seventh despite a straight-set loss to Serbia.
In other matches, Ukraine closed their debut VNL campaign with a win over Belgium, Czechia edged France in five sets, and Germany swept Bulgaria.
VNL 2026 Finals Quarterfinals
- United States vs. China
- Italy vs. Netherlands
- Brazil vs. Japan
- Türkiye vs. Canada
Sunday’s Results
- United States def. Brazil 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16)
- Italy def. China 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-12, 15-12)
- Türkiye def. Thailand 3-1 (25-27, 25-21, 25-19, 25-22)
- Serbia def. Netherlands 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-15)
- Japan def. Poland 3-2 (20-25, 14-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-13)
- Canada def. Dominican Republic 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 25-18)
- Ukraine def. Belgium 3-0 (25-23, 25-20, 25-13)
- Czechia def. France 3-2 (25-12, 21-25, 22-25, 25-17, 20-18)
- Germany def. Bulgaria 3-0 (25-20, 25-20, 25-15)