The provisional rosters, featuring 25 players for each participating team, were officially unveiled approximately five weeks prior to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men`s World Championship. This announcement has ignited considerable excitement among fans, who eagerly anticipate seeing an array of top-tier volleyball talent compete on the courts of the Philippines.
Scheduled to take place from September 12 to 28, the World Championship promises an exhilarating display of skill and athleticism. These preliminary lists will serve as the foundation for the final tournament squads, which will ultimately comprise a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 14 athletes chosen from this initial pool.
Many of the world`s leading male volleyball players have already demonstrated their prowess on the international stage this season, particularly during the Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Others excelled in their respective continental competitions, securing crucial World Ranking points for their national teams. For some athletes, however, the World Championship will mark the beginning of their competitive season, as they took a well-deserved break to rest and recuperate in preparation for the year`s most significant event.
For the defending world champions, Italy, fans might witness the return of experienced star middle blocker Roberto Russo, a vital member of the squad that clinched the world title three years ago. Remarkably, 11 of the 14 athletes from that championship-winning team are included in the current provisional list. This also features players who recently led Italy to a VNL 2025 silver medal, such as Dream Team members Simone Giannelli and Alessandro Michieletto.
The two-time reigning Olympic champions, France, could see their brightest star make a comeback for the World Championship. Earvin Ngapeth, the Most Valuable Player of both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is prominently featured on coach Andrea Giani`s roster. The entire lineup of 13 players who achieved Olympic gold last summer is also on the list. Additionally, powerful opposite Stephen Boyer, an Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020 who was absent from this year`s VNL, is included.
Poland, currently holding the number one global ranking, will naturally depend on VNL 2025 MVP Jakub Kochanowski and Dream Team members Kewin Sasak and Wilfredo Leon, alongside the rest of the team that delivered a flawless gold-medal performance at last week`s Finals in Ningbo. Their provisional list also features superstar Bartosz Kurek. Unfortunately, the injured Aleksander Sliwka remains unavailable.
Brazil`s squad, which secured a bronze medal at the VNL 2025 in China last week, sees all 14 players from that impressive team named on their provisional list for the Philippines, including the competition`s Best Libero, Maique Reis Nascimento.
Slovenia, who notably surpassed defending VNL champions France and achieved a commendable fourth-place finish in Ningbo, has its 14 players from that performance on coach Fabio Soli`s provisional list for the World Championship. This includes stellar presences like Klemen Cebulj, Alen Pajenk, Dejan Vincic, Gregor Ropret, and their esteemed usual captain, Tine Urnaut, alongside Dream Team middle blocker Jan Kozamernik.
Speculation suggests that the newly married star opposite, Yuji Nishida, may rejoin the Japanese national team`s formidable squad for their World Championship campaign, alongside those who secured a sixth-place finish in VNL 2025.
Without their prominent star, Nimir Abdel-Aziz, the Netherlands faced VNL relegation. However, his anticipated return for the World Championship squad is expected to significantly bolster their performance.
Argentina`s roster is highlighted by the inclusion of standout playmaker Luciano De Cecco. Other notable experienced players potentially returning to their respective teams include Micah Christenson and Taylor Averill for the USA, Nicholas Hoag and Arthur Szwarc for Canada, Linus Weber and Anton Brehme for Germany, and Petar Krsmanovic for Serbia.
Jasper Thornfield 
Oliver Wrenwick