Volleyball: 2025 Men’s World Championships schedule revealed

The path to victory at the Men’s World Championship 2025 became a little clearer for the 32 qualified national teams on Wednesday 27 November, with the release of the tournament schedule for volleyball’s boldest world championships yet.

Set to take place in the Philippines from 12-28 September, the Men’s World Championship 2025 will feature the largest field of teams in the tournament’s history, with 64 matches scheduled to determine the next world champion.

The tournament will begin with a much-anticipated match between the host nation, the Philippines, and Tunisia on Friday, 12 September at 19:00 local time.

Other notable group stage matches include an early tussle between Slovenia and Germany (Pool E) on 17 September, with Brazil and Serbia (Pool H) set to face off later in the evening.

Team USA, who defeated reigning world champions Italy to claim a bronze medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, will begin their world championships campaign against Colombia on 13 September. However, they’ll face an even bigger match against Cuba on 17 September, with plenty of regional pride on the line.

In fact, regional pride will be a bit of a theme in pool play, with three-time world champions Poland set to face the Netherlands on 17 September, followed by an all-African clash between Egypt and Tunisia on 18 September.

Defending world champions Italy will also be eager to get their title defence off to a solid start, opening the tournament with a match against Algeria on 14 September.

Of course, no team will be followed more closely than Paris 2024 Olympic champions France.

They’ll begin the tournament with a match against the Republic of Korea on 14 September, before turning their attention to a mouthwatering clash with Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists Argentina on 18 September.

All 32 teams will aim to be ranked amongst the top two teams in their pools, with hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 and beyond. The Round of 16 matches are scheduled to take place from 20-23 September, followed by the quarterfinals from 24-25 September.

The remaining four teams will be rewarded with a rest day, before returning to action in the semifinals on 27 September, followed by the championship match on 28 September.

Fans can find more information about the match schedule on the Volleyball World website.