Sweden is poised to make its landmark entry into the 2025 FIVB Women`s Volleyball World Championship this August, where they will face Pool A opponents at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok. This inaugural participation marks a significant milestone for the national team, a culmination of years of dedicated effort and pivotal support channeled through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program.
The Swedish squad will commence their campaign against the Netherlands on August 22, followed by matches with Thailand on August 24 and Egypt on August 26. This momentous occasion is Sweden’s first-ever appearance in the sport’s most prestigious event, representing a substantial achievement for a program that has meticulously cultivated its international standing through careful strategic planning, coaching consistency, and robust player development initiatives.
Sweden`s trajectory has been characterized by consistent progress and notable results. The women’s team reached the quarterfinals of the 2021 European Championship, achieving their best-ever finish, and have already secured qualification for the 2026 edition. In the CEV Golden League, they demonstrated strong performance by finishing as runners-up in 2023 and then securing the championship title in 2024, showcasing their ability to perform consistently across multiple seasons. Their participation in the FIVB Challenger Cup saw them claim second place in 2023 and sixth in 2024, invaluable experiences gained against formidable international rivals.
This impressive rise has been significantly underpinned by focused funding from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. Since 2023, the Swedish women’s national team has benefited from $252,000 in support, specifically earmarked for strengthening coaching capacities and fostering long-term team development.
This financial assistance has facilitated two years of strategic head coach appointments, beginning with Lauri Hakala and continuing under Lorenzo Micelli, who assumed the role in February 2025. The continuity provided by experienced coaching leadership over an extended period has enabled Sweden to expand training blocks, enhance tactical preparation, and cultivate a stronger sense of team cohesion.
Moreover, the program reaps the benefits of national-level knowledge-sharing initiatives, where international coaches contribute to development across all coaching levels within the country. These concerted efforts are designed to establish a sustainable system and fortify the pathway for the emergence of future national team players.
At the heart of the current Swedish squad is Isabelle Haak, widely regarded as one of the world`s most dominant opposite hitters. Her sister, Anna Haak, also provides essential leadership and consistency to the team. Alongside them is a burgeoning group of athletes who have progressed through the national program over several seasons and are now ready to compete at the pinnacle of international volleyball.
This summer, Sweden will not only mark their inaugural presence at the World Championship but will also carry the significant momentum accumulated from years of sustained growth, meticulous preparation, and hard-earned progress into what promises to be their greatest challenge yet.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood