Day 6: Battle for Top Pool Spots and Prestige at Women’s World Championship

The final pool stage matches for Pools E, F, G, and H will conclude on Day 6, determining final standings and setting the stage for the playoffs.

The sixth day of the 2025 FIVB Women`s World Championship in Thailand concludes the initial pool stage, with final matches scheduled for Pools E, F, G, and H. While the teams advancing to the eighthfinals from these groups are already confirmed, Wednesday`s games will determine their final standings and seeding for the upcoming playoff bracket. Meanwhile, other teams will aim to conclude their tournament with a victory, seeking to accrue valuable experience, enhance their prestige, and earn crucial FIVB World Ranking points.

Pool E

In Pool E`s opening clash in Nakhon Ratchasima, Canada and Türkiye will battle for the top spot. The victor will face Slovenia (Pool D runners-up) in the eighthfinals, while the defeated team will confront Pool D winners, USA. Historically, Canada`s sole win against Türkiye in the past 15 years occurred in a Volleyball Nations League match three years prior. Later, Bulgaria and Spain will play their final match in Nakhon Ratchasima, both eager to secure a win. Spain has displayed more determination in Thailand thus far, but Bulgaria holds a historical advantage. The FIVB World Ranking system also favors Bulgaria, predicting a gain of 3.56 to 9.81 points for them in a win, whereas a Spanish victory would yield 8.94 to 15.19 points.

Pool F

China and the Dominican Republic will compete on Wednesday evening to decide Pool F`s undefeated winner, marking the conclusion of World Championship play in Chiang Mai. The triumphant team will advance to face Pool C runners-up France in an eighthfinal in Bangkok, while the losing side will take on formidable Brazil. The Dominican Republic has shown stronger form, not dropping a single set in their pool matches, and has won two of their last three encounters against China. However, FIVB World Ranking projections lean towards the Asian powerhouse in this upcoming match. Earlier on Wednesday, Colombia and Mexico, both yet to secure a win, will meet in their final World Championship match. Mexico is the more seasoned team, but Colombia has had superior recent head-to-head results. The South Americans are also motivated by the chance to claim their first-ever World Championship victory, having lost all seven matches in their 2022 debut and this tournament combined. This match offers between 4.82 and 13.93 World Ranking points, depending on the result.

Pool G

On Wednesday evening in Phuket, an all-European showdown between Poland and Germany will decide the undefeated winner of Pool G. Germany has yet to lose a set in the World Championship, while favored Poland has dropped a set in each of their last two games. The winner of this final Pool G match will claim first place and proceed to face Pool B runners-up Belgium in the next round. The Pool G second-place team will play against formidable Italy, the reigning Olympic and Volleyball Nations League champions who topped Pool B. Historically, Poland has largely dominated head-to-head matchups with Germany, whose last official win against Poland was in a 2021 VNL game. World Ranking projections also strongly favor Poland. Earlier, winless Vietnam and Kenya will compete for third place in the pool. Vietnam previously secured a straight-set friendly victory over Kenya just before the Championship. Participating in their first World Championship, the Asian team is eager to achieve a historic win. Kenya, having competed in seven previous editions, has only two wins to their name, making the stakes high for them too. World Ranking calculations slightly favor Vietnam, with 5.98 to 12.77 points shifting based on the outcome.

Pool H

In Bangkok, the Pool H first-place decider between Japan and Serbia will kick off the competition day, determining the next opponent for host nation Thailand in the eighthfinals. The winner will face Thailand before their enthusiastic home crowd, while the losing team will play against the Netherlands, who dominated Pool A. Serbia, the two-time reigning world champions, have yet to drop a set in the current pool stage. Nevertheless, Japan is considered favored in this upcoming clash, based on both their World Ranking and recent head-to-head results. Later, Ukraine, having narrowly missed an upset victory against Japan, will seek their first World Championship win in their Pool H concluding match against Cameroon. Both teams have only one previous World Championship victory to their credit and will vie for their second on Wednesday. Ukraine is a strong favorite in terms of World Ranking, projected to gain between 0.01 and 5.84 points with a win. Conversely, a victory for Cameroon would earn them a significant 12.91 to 19.16 points against their European rival.