Japan and USA, ranked No. 5 and 6 respectively, are among the 32 nations competing in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Fan favorites USA and Japan are tagged as darkhorse contenders in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship from September 12 to 28 at Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
From meeting their Filipino fans last year in a Volleyball Nations League Manila leg, the Japanese and Americans, ranked fifth and sixth in the world, respectively, are out to compete to be the world’s best among the 32 nations.
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Japan will be banking on Yuki Ishikawa and Ran Takahashi, as newly-married opposite spiker Yuji Nishida is likely to miss the competition.
The Ryujin Nippon seeks to rise from a 12th-place finish in the 2022 World Championship and quarterfinal exits in the Paris Olympics and VNL 2025.
USA, which placed sixth in the 2022 edition, hopes to get over the hump this year with star setter Micah Christenson, libero captain Erik Shoji, and Paris Second Best Middle Blocker Taylor Averill bringing their experience from a bronze medal finish in the Olympic Games last year.
Slovenia will miss fan favorite and star Rok Mozic due to a knee injury, but the team remained formidable with Klemen Cebulj, Alen Pajenk, Dejan Vincic, Gregor Ropret, and captain Tine Urnaut hoping to continue their dream run from a fourth-place finish in 2022.
Japan leads Pool G with Canada, Turkey and Libya. USA is in Pool D with Cuba, Portugal, and Colombia, while Slovenia faces Germany, Bulgaria, and Chile in Pool E.
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Also expected to have a deep run are Germany, Argentina, and Cuba, as the 32 squads hit the final stage of their build-up for the Manila tourney organized by Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also heads the world championship’s Local Organizing Committee co-chaired by Presidential son William Vincent “Vinny” Araneta Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.
As host, the Philippines will open the 32-team conclave against 11-time African champion Tunisia on September 12 at the MOA Arena after a star-studded opening ceremony to be headlined by K-POP group BOYNEXTDOOR.
Tickets are available via the official website https://www.philippineswch2025.com/.
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