Seven compelling matches are scheduled for Sunday, as 14 national teams prepare for their inaugural appearances in the tournament.
Captain Simone Giannelli leads Italy in their bid to defend the championship title they secured in 2022.
Sunday marks a pivotal day in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, as the remaining 14 national teams are set to make their highly anticipated debuts in the Philippines. This third day of competition will feature a packed schedule of first-round pool matches across Pools A, C, F, and H, with particular attention on defending champions Italy, two-time Olympic gold medalists France, and three-time world champions Brazil, all making their inaugural appearances in the tournament.
Pool A
Hosted at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Pool A features a single match on Sunday. Asian powerhouse Iran will clash with reigning African champions Egypt at 13:30 local time (5:30 GMT). Iran aims for a victorious start despite the absence of their injured star opposite, Amin Esmaeilnezhad. Meanwhile, Egypt will rely on many players from their 2024 Paris Olympics squad to challenge their formidable opponents.
Pool A action commenced on Friday with the host nation, the Philippines, facing Tunisia. The African team secured a dominant 3-0 victory (25-13, 25-17, 25-23).
Pool C
Olympic champions France, who have won two consecutive gold medals, will embark on their quest for a maiden World Championship title. They will face Korea in their opening match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, scheduled for 18:00 (10:00 GMT). With star outside hitter Earvin Ngapeth fully recovered from injury, the French squad will be at full strength for their debut.
“We could easily have stopped after taking gold in Paris last year, but we all want to keep going and that’s part of our identity as a team,” Ngapeth remarked. “Winning the World Championship is a big goal for all of us. It’s the only gold medal missing, and we’re very motivated to go get it.”
Earlier in the day, at 10:30 (2:30 GMT), the other teams in Pool C, Argentina and Finland, will compete. A key player to watch will be Argentina`s 37-year-old star setter, Luciano De Cecco, who returns to the national team after missing the Volleyball Nations League, marking an impressive sixth World Championship appearance.
Pool F
Defending champions Italy will take to the court at the Smart Araneta Coliseum immediately following France’s match. Their debut is set against Algeria at 21:30 (13:30 GMT). The European squad largely retains the core players who won gold three years ago but will need to adjust to the absence of outside hitter Daniele Lavia, who sustained a hand injury during preparations.
“The guys were very good at responding to what happened,” head coach Ferdinando De Giorgi stated. “This is part of their unique trait. We handled it in the best way we could, which was difficult because Daniele is very important to us in many different ways. We immediately started to look for the best solutions and to figure out how the team would work without him.”
Before Italy`s match, European teams Ukraine and Belgium will square off at 14:00 (6:00 GMT). Ukraine aims to build upon their seventh-place finish in 2022, while Belgium seeks to make a strong return after missing the previous edition.
Pool H
Three-time champions Brazil and Asian giants China will make their tournament debut at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 21:00 (13:00 GMT). The South Americans are focused on continuing their team`s rebuilding process, especially after securing bronze in the Volleyball Nations League. China, on the other hand, will need to compensate for the absence of star outside hitter Jingyin Zhang to ensure a successful campaign.
An all-European contest will kick off the action in Pool H, with Serbia and Czechia battling it out at 17:30 (9:30 GMT).
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick