Men’s World Championship Pool Previews: Pool C

Just five days after the new world champions were crowned among the women, the 32 men’s teams that will compete in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship will get to start their journeys in the tournament, which is set to begin on Friday.

For the first time in history, volleyball-loving the Philippines will host the World Championship, having the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena, both located in the metro area of the country’s capital Manila, as the venues for the 66 matches that will be held from September 12-28.

• Watch the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship on VBTV

The 21^st edition of the tournament will be the first in the new era, which will have the world title put in dispute every two years and 32 national teams fighting for it.

The 32 participating teams were split into eight pools of four and will face each of their three opponents during pool play from September 12-18. The top two national teams in each pool will advance to the elimination rounds. The Round of 16 will go from September 20-23, with the quarterfinals following on September 24-25, the semifinal being held on September 27 and the medal matches ending the event on September 28.

With fans from all over the world preparing to tune in on VBTV and enjoy the matches, we’ll preview each of the eight pools.

Pool C

Match Schedule

September 14 – Argentina vs. Finland – 10:30 local time (2:30 GMT)
September 14 – France vs. Korea – 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT)
September 16 – Argentina vs. Korea – 10:30 local time (2:30 GMT)
September 16 – France vs. Finland – 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT)
September 18 – Finland vs. Korea – 10:30 local time (2:30 GMT)
September 18 – France vs. Argentina – 18:00 local time (10:00 GMT)

France

The reigning back-to-back Olympic champions, France confirmed their presence at the World Championship when they took bronze at the 2023 European Championship, securing one of the continent’s three spots in the event. The French were present in the first edition in the tournament, in 1949, and are now set to make their 18^th appearance, having only missed it out in 1962, 1994 and 1998. They made it to the podium once, taking bronze in their return, in 2002.

At the helm since 2022, former Italian star player Andrea Giani has taken France to fourth place in the FIVB World Ranking. The team will have setters Benjamin Toniutti and Antoine Brizard, opposite Jean Patry, outside hitter Trévor Clévenot and libero Jenia Grebennikov in the Philippines and are following the recovery of star outside hitter Earvin Ngapeth, who injured his knee during training, to confirm his presence.

Argentina

Argentina’s first victory at the South American Championship in 59 years in 2023 confirmed the country’s national team in the World Championship as they claimed one of the continent’s three spots in the event. The Argentines made their debut in 1960 and then returned in 1978, accumulating 13 appearances. They were at the podium in 1982, when they got bronze.

The South Americans are inside the FIVB World Ranking top-ten, appearing in ninth place. Leading the team since 2019, head coach Marcelo Méndez recently lost his leading scorer, opposite Bruno Lima, who left the national team, but on the other hand, he can count on the return of star setter Luciano De Cecco, who didn’t play in the Volleyball Nations League. Other key players in the team are middle blocker Agustín Loser, outside hitter Luciano Palonsky and libero Santiago Danani.

Finland

Finland confirmed their return to the World Championship by being among the 15 best-ranked national teams in the FIVB World Ranking that not qualified via other pathways. With that, they will make their ninth appearance in the event. The first was back in 1952 and their best result was a ninth-place finish in 2014.

Led by former national team player Olli Kunnari since 2024, the Finnish currently appear in 18^th place in the FIVB World Ranking. Setter Eemi Tervaportti brings a veteran presence to the team, while opposite Joonas Jokela, outside hitter Luka Marttila, middle blocker Petteri Tyynismaa and libero Voitto Köykkä are other important pieces in their playing system.

Korea

Korea were the last team to secure a spot at the World Championship via the FIVB World Ranking pathway, confirming their return to the tournament after 11 years. The Asians competed at the world stage for the first time in 1956 and are set to make their tenth appearance this year. The team made it to the semifinals once, finishing fourth in 1978.

The 25^th-best team in the FIVB World Ranking, Korea are led by Brazilian head coach Issanayê Ramires, who took over last year. Outside hitter Heo Su-Bong is one of their most experienced and important players. Setter Han Tae-Jun, middle blocker Choi Jun-Hyeok and opposite Lim Dong-Hyeok are other core players in the Korean team.

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