The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship is nearing its thrilling conclusion, with the quarterfinal stage set to commence on Wednesday. Anticipation is high as teams battle for the coveted world champion title.
Czechia and Iran have both secured their spots in the quarterfinals, booking their berths on Tuesday after hard-fought victories in their respective Round of 16 matches held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
From this point onward, the competition will follow a single-elimination format through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The schedule for the highly anticipated quarterfinals is as follows:
Wednesday
- Italy vs Belgium
- Poland vs Türkiye
Thursday
- Czechia vs Iran
- USA vs Bulgaria
Czechia Makes History with First-Ever Quarterfinal Appearance
On Tuesday, Czechia made a significant mark in their country`s volleyball history, sweeping Tunisia 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-23) to advance to the quarterfinals of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship for the very first time.
This achievement is particularly notable as even their esteemed predecessors, Czechoslovakia – who boasted two world titles and four silver medals from the competition`s early editions – last reached the top eight 39 years ago, in 1986.
Czechia displayed dominant form in the first two sets against Tunisia, securing comfortable wins (25-19, 25-18). While Tunisia mounted a strong challenge in the third set, even leading by seven points at one stage, a spirited comeback inspired by Jan Galabov ensured Czechia completed the 3-0 (25-19, 25-18, 25-23) victory, cementing their historic advancement.
Iran Triumphs in Five-Set Thriller Against Serbia
In the day`s second dramatic encounter, Iran was pushed to their limits but ultimately prevailed over Serbia in a grueling five-set match 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9), securing their place in the quarterfinals.
This hard-fought victory propels the Asian squad into the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in the Philippines. In Tuesday`s final Round of 16 match in Pasay City, Iran demonstrated remarkable resilience, twice recovering from being a set down before dominating the decisive tie-breaker. Iran is now scheduled to face Czechia in what promises to be an exciting quarterfinal clash on Thursday.
The match was a tense affair from the outset. Serbia claimed the first set (25-23), skillfully fending off an Iranian comeback. Iran responded with authority in the second set, pulling away after a tight 17-17 scoreline to win 25-19 and level the match. The third set proved to be a rollercoaster, with the lead changing hands multiple times before Serbia eventually clinched it 26-24 with a blistering ace. Undeterred, Iran fought fiercely in the fourth set, with captain Morteza Sharifi nailing the set winner for a 25-22 victory, forcing a decisive fifth set. In the tie-breaker, Iran quickly established a dominant 4-1 lead and maintained control, ultimately securing a 15-9 victory to seal the match 3-2 (23-25, 25-19, 24-26, 25-22, 15-9).
Finley Blackwood 
Oliver Wrenwick