2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship opens with eight matches across Thailand

The 20th FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship began on Friday, 22 August, in Thailand, with 32 teams competing. They are divided into eight groups of four, with the top two in each pool moving on to the knockout stage. The tournament will conclude in Bangkok on 7 September.

With 16 European teams entered, the continent is once again the most represented. Defending champions Serbia are aiming for a third consecutive title, while Türkiye, winners of the last European Championship, continue their search for a first world medal. Italy, champions in 2002 and fresh from their Nations League victory this summer, also arrive as strong contenders. The competition is expected to be demanding, and the opening day already showed signs of it. 

The draw placed several European sides in direct competition from the opening phase. Pool A, hosted in Bangkok, features the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and Egypt. The Dutch and the Swedes met in today’s headline clash, producing the only all-European match of the day. It was the Netherlands who edged the battle in five sets, but it was Sweden’s star Isabelle Haak who stole the spotlight with 32 points, the highest individual tally on opening day. In the group’s other game, Thailand started strongly, beating Egypt in four sets.

In Pool B, played in Phuket, European heavyweights Italy and Belgium both opened with straight-set victories. Belgium brushed aside Cuba, with Britt Lemmens scoring 12 points to lead her side. Italy followed against Slovakia, with Paola Egonu contributing 15 points, underlining her role as one of the tournament’s leading scorers.

Pool C, staged in Chiang Mai, featured two European teams. France marked their return to the World Championship with a four-set win against Puerto Rico, led by Ndiaye’s 22 points. In the other match, Brazil overcame Greece in straight sets. Both Gabi for Brazil and Anthouli for Greece finished on 18 points, showing attacking strength despite the different outcomes.

In Pool D, hosted in Nakhon Ratchasima, Czechia started brightly against Argentina but could not hold their advantage, losing in four sets. Opposite spiker Bianca Cugno delivered 25 points, the best mark of the pool. Defending champions USA also opened with a four-set win against Slovenia, who made their World Championship debut.

Match Results – (Opening day) 

Pool A
Netherlands 3–2 Sweden (25–27, 25–11, 25–21, 21–25, 15–9)
Thailand 3–1 Egypt (25–15, 23–25, 25–15, 25–12)

Pool B
Belgium 3–0 Cuba (25–23, 25–14, 25–11)
Italy 3–0 Slovakia (25–20, 25–14, 25–17)

Pool C
France 3–1 Puerto Rico (25–22, 25–18, 21–25, 25–14)
Brazil 3–0 Greece (25–18, 25–16, 25–16)

Pool D
Argentina 3–1 Czechia (18–25, 25–23, 25–17, 26–24)
USA 3–1 Slovenia (25–23, 17–25, 25–22, 25–14)