As the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship intensifies in Thailand, Thursday marks a crucial day in Bangkok. Following Japan and Italy securing their semifinal berths on Wednesday, two more nations will join them. The day`s schedule features a highly anticipated clash between Brazil and France, followed by a showdown between the United States and Türkiye, with both matches determining the last two spots in the semifinals.
Quarterfinal 3: Brazil vs France
The third quarterfinal, kicking off at 17:00 local time (10:00 UTC) on Thursday, will see Brazil face France. The victor will earn the right to challenge Italy in Saturday`s semifinals.
This quarterfinal is unique as it`s a rematch from Pool C of Thailand 2025, where these two teams previously met. In their last Pool C encounter, which ultimately decided the top spot, France surprised Brazil by taking the first two sets before the South American powerhouses orchestrated a remarkable comeback to win in five sets. Their history also includes another thrilling five-set battle during the Volleyball Nations League in Japan on July 10, where Brazil again triumphed after recovering from a set deficit twice.
Despite their formidable presence in international volleyball, Brazil, currently ranked second in the FIVB World Ranking, has yet to clinch a World Championship gold, holding four silver medals (including from 2022) and one bronze. They also secured silver in this year`s VNL. Their journey in the current World Championship saw them dominate Pool C, undefeated with straight-set victories over Greece and Puerto Rico, plus their epic five-set comeback against France. In the eighthfinals, Brazil overcame the Dominican Republic in four sets. Leading their offensive charge is star outside hitter Gabriela Guimaraes (Gabi), with 53 points. Gabi also excels in receiving, while 22-year-old Julia Kudiess stands out as one of the tournament`s most effective blockers, tallying 15 stuffs.
This year marks France`s fourth appearance at the World Championships and their first in over 50 years. While they achieved a seventh-place finish in the inaugural 1952 tournament (then an eight-team round-robin), this is their historic debut in a World Championship quarterfinal. Ranked 13th globally, France began their Thailand 2025 campaign with a four-set win against Puerto Rico, followed by their narrow five-set loss to Brazil. They secured their spot as Pool C runners-up by defeating Greece in four sets. Their most significant achievement thus far was upsetting Asian giants China in four sets in the eighthfinals. Captain and outside hitter Helena Cazaute has been a standout, leading France with 89 points and ranking as the tournament`s top receiver until the eighthfinals. Should she maintain her form against Brazil, she is poised to become the top scorer and attacker of the quarterfinal round. Additionally, opposite Iman Ndiaye shares the lead for best servers with 10 aces, and libero Juliette Gelin is among the top diggers.
Quarterfinal 4: USA vs Türkiye
The final semifinal spot will be contested in what promises to be an unpredictable quarterfinal clash between the USA and Türkiye, scheduled for 20:30 local time (13:30 UTC). The victor will advance to face Japan in Saturday`s semifinal.
The USA enjoyed a dominant seven-match winning streak against Türkiye between 2021 and 2023, featuring victories at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and two wins at the 2022 World Championship, including a three-set quarterfinal triumph. However, Türkiye has turned the tide in their most recent encounters, securing a four-set win in the VNL 2023 semifinals and a hard-fought five-set victory in their latest VNL 2024 match-up.
The United States, currently sixth in the FIVB World Ranking, boasts a rich World Championship history with three medals: bronze in 1990, silver in 2002, and a historic gold in 2014. They finished fourth in the 2022 edition. In the current tournament, the USA advanced to the eighthfinals as undefeated Pool D leaders, with four-set wins against Slovenia and Argentina, and a straight-set sweep of Czechia. They then delivered a commanding performance to eliminate Canada in the eighthfinals. Outside hitter Avery Skinner is USA’s best scorer so far with 56 points over four matches.
As reigning European champions, Türkiye holds a strong international profile but has yet to reach the podium at a World Championship, with their best finish being sixth in 2010. Currently ranked fifth globally, Türkiye stands out as the only team in Thailand 2025 to have not dropped a single set, sweeping Spain, Bulgaria, and Canada in Pool E. They continued their flawless run by defeating Slovenia in straight sets in the eighthfinals. Star opposite Melissa Vargas is their leading scorer, having amassed an impressive 70 points across just 12 sets.
Thursday, September 4, 2025 – Match Schedule
- 17:00 local (10:00 UTC): Brazil vs. France
- 20:30 local (13:30 UTC): USA vs. Türkiye
Oliver Wrenwick 
Jasper Thornfield