Top International Players Return for Women’s Volleyball World Championship as Squads Announced

As the Women`s Volleyball Nations League 2025 finals approach in Łódź, Poland (July 23-27), anticipation builds for the 2025 FIVB Women`s World Championship, set to begin in less than six weeks. All 32 participating national teams have now unveiled their preliminary 25-player rosters for the prestigious tournament.

These extensive long-lists, featuring up to 25 athletes per team, will serve as the foundation for the definitive 12-to-14 player rosters. Final selections must be made from these preliminary lists and will be confirmed the day before the Preliminary Inquiry. Thailand will host the 2025 Women`s World Championship from August 22 to September 7.

While many international stars have already participated in the VNL 2025, several prominent players who took a break earlier in the season have been included in these long-lists, hinting at their eagerly awaited return for the August tournament in Thailand.

Defending champions Serbia are poised for a significant boost with the potential return of key players. Veteran setter Maja Ognjenović, who captained the team to their 2018 World Championship victory, is on the long-list. Middle blocker Mina Popović, a part of their successful 2022 campaign, also features, providing Head Coach Zoran Terzić with strong options.

The United States, silver medalists at the Paris Olympics, could see a substantial enhancement to their squad for Thailand. Tokyo Olympic gold medalist and star middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu, along with formidable outside hitters Khalia Lanier and Alexandra Frantti, who have not yet played in the VNL, are all on the list and potentially available for Head Coach Erik Sullivan.

China, aiming for the world title on home continent, anticipates the return of pivotal outside hitter Li Yingying, the team`s top scorer in recent seasons. She is expected to join seasoned players like opposite Gong Xiangyu and middle blocker Wang Yuanyuan.

Türkiye is also set to welcome back their influential captain, Eda Erdem, who rested during the VNL. Her return, alongside middle blocker Zehra Güneş, opposite Melissa Vargas, and outside hitter Ebrar Karakurt, would reunite the core squad that clinched both the VNL and European Championship titles in 2023 for Head Coach Daniele Santarelli.

Bronze medalists from Paris, Brazil, largely maintain their VNL lineup for the World Championship, featuring stars like outside hitters Gabriela ‘Gabi’ Guimarães and Ana Cristina Souza, opposite Rosamaria Montibeller, and setter Macris Carneiro. They might also see the return of libero Nyeme Nunes, who was absent early in the season after childbirth. Notably, middle blocker Ana Carolina ‘Carol’ da Silva is not on the list.

The Netherlands could also significantly elevate their performance with the re-inclusion of seasoned players. Setter Britt Bongaerts, outside hitters Marrit Jasper and Jolien Knollema, and opposite Celeste Plak, all absent from VNL play, are potential additions.

Olympic gold medalists Italy will present an elite squad in Thailand, with no significant changes from their current VNL roster. Their team includes ten of the thirteen players who secured Italy`s historic Olympic gold in Paris last year, notably opposite Paola Egonu, libero Monica De Gennaro, and team captain/middle blocker Anna Danesi.

Asian powerhouse Japan will be led by new captain and star outside hitter Mayu Ishikawa, supported by key players such as libero Manami Kojima, opposite Yukiko Wada, and middle blocker Ayaka Araki.

Poland will deploy an experienced lineup for the World Championships, with expectations high for team captain and middle blocker Agnieszka Korneluk, opposite Magdalena Stysiak, and outside hitter Martyna Łukasic to deliver a strong performance.

Host nation Thailand aims for a strong showing on home soil. Their long-list includes star setter Pornpun Guedpard, prolific opposite Pimpichaya Kokram, and versatile outside hitters Ajcharaporn Kongyot and Chatchu-On Mokrsi.

Other notable players expected to feature for their respective national teams include Sweden’s Isabelle Haak, Vietnam’s Thi Thanh Thuy, Germany’s Lina Alsmeier, France’s Héléna Cazaute, the Dominican Republic’s Brayelin Martinez, Canada’s Kiera Van Ryk, Bulgaria’s Elitsa Atanasijević, and Belgium’s Britt Herbots.