DRAWING OF LOTS SETS OFF EXCITING 248-DAY COUNTDOWN TO 2025 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THAILAND

DRAWING OF LOTS SETS OFF EXCITING 248-DAY COUNTDOWN TO 2025 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THAILAND

Pools and venues in four different cities set for the launch of the next year’s prestigious event

Bangkok, Thailand, December 17, 2024 – Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok get set to co-host the much-anticipated 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand, as all qualified teams discover potential route and prepare their incredible journeys in the newly-expanded 32-team event after completion of drawing of lots on Tuesday.

 

Looking exactly the same as the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship from September 12-28 in the same year in Philippines, the 2025 Women’s World Championship is set to be held between August 22 and September 7, featuring 32 national teams for the first time (previously 24 participants) to contest a total of 64 matches over the course of 17 days of the adrenaline-packed tournament.

The drawing of lots was conducted by Volleyball World on Tuesday at The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel Bangkok, with the Minister of Tourism and Sports of Thailand Mr Sorawong Thienthong presiding over the spectacular ceremony and Mr Ramon Suzara, FIVB Executive Vice-President and AVC President, attending as guest of honour. 

Also joining the ceremony included Thailand Volleyball Association President Mr Somporn Chaibangyang, AVC Executive Director and TVA Honorary Life President Mr Shanrit Wongprasert, Sports Authority of Thailand Deputy Governor Mr Preecha Laloon as well as TVA Board Members, VIP guests, Thailand national junior and youth teams and a large number of local sports journalists.

 

Ahead of the ceremony, all participants witnessed spectacular performers showcasing breathtaking dances with stunning costumes and the grandeur of Thai cultures and traditions of the four host cities was reflected through huge screen behind stages.

In his welcome speech, Mr Sorawong said, “On behalf of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the Thai Government, it’s my great honour to preside over the drawing of lots for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to FIVB and Volleyball World for your decision to approve Thailand to be the host for one of the FIVB’s most prestigious volleyball competitions. 

“We will try our utmost effort to support the organization of the biggest-ever volleyball event in Thailand. Four host cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Nakhon Ratchasima will try to provide the best facilities and service to all delegates and participating teams. During the competition, Thailand will share the “Green Hearts Campaign,” aimed to galvanise the public to join together and show decision makers that Thailand wants to see real and rapid action to tackle the climate and nature crisis. I’m confident that volleyball fans all over the world are looking forward to watching this prestigious championship. I wish all participating federations the best of luck and the best success in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship in Thailand,” he concluded.

FIVB Executive Vice-President and AVC President Mr Ramon Suzara also delivered his speech to all participants in the drawing of lots ceremony, citing that Thailand is a volleyball-loving nation and when the world’s top volleyball teams are in the country for any world-class tournaments, they will always be overwhelmed with intense support from volleyball fans. He is convinced that Thailand will be successful in hosting the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship.

 

After that, Mr Suzara presented the coveted trophy of Women’s World Championship to the Minister followed by another graceful dance show to celebrate the handover of the trophy, which will now be safely kept in Thailand until it will be presented to the new world champions on September 7, 2025.

The 32 teams have been divided into eight pools of four teams apiece to compete in pool play in four different regions, with capital city Bangkok (Central Thailand) hosting Pool A and Pool H at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, Phuket (Southern Thailand) organizing Pool B and Pool G at Saphan Hin Gymnasium, Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) staging Pool C and Pool F at Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Center and Nakhon Ratchasima (Northeastern Thailand) serving as the battleground for Pool D and Pool E at Chartchai Hall.

The top two teams in each pool will progress to the Round of 16 as the knock-out phase starts, with the action shifting to Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok, the main venue for the 2024 Women’s VNL Finals. The Round of 16 will see teams fight for a coveted quarter-final spot. Winning teams will then advance to the final stage to battle it out for the prestigious title of world champions.

Regarding the drawing of lots results, hosts and Asian champions Thailand, current world No.13, have been drawn in Pool A along with Netherlands, Sweden and Egypt. Pool B consists of world No.1 Italy, which made much of the impact this year sweeping both the VNL and Paris Olympic Games titles, Belgium, former consecutive three Olympic gold medallists Cuba and Slovakia.

Pool C features world No.2 Brazil, bronze medallists at the Paris Games and silver at the previous World Championship in Netherland/Poland, Puerto Rico, France and Greece, with world No.3 USA, silver medallists at the Paris Olympics, champions at the Tokyo Games and fourth at the previous World Championship, Czech Republic, Argentina and Slovenia in Pool D.

Current world No.4 Turkey, fourth at Paris Games and champions at the 2023 VNL, are in Pool E alongside Canada, Bulgaria and Spain, while Pool F comprises Asian powerhouses and world No.5 China, silver medallists at the 2023 VNL, Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico.

World No.6 Poland, back-to-back bronze medallists at the 2023 and 2024 VNL, Germany, Kenya and Vietnam are in Pool G, with world No.7 Japan, silver medallists at this year’s VNL, defending and consecutive two-time world champions Serbia, current world No.10, Ukraine and Cameroon in Pool H. 

Electrifying matchups and date will soon be confirmed by FIVB and Volleyball World.

2025 FIVB Women’s World Championship pool phase

Pool A in Bangkok: Thailand, Netherlands, Sweden, Egypt
Pool B in Phuket: Italy, Belgium, Cuba, Slovakia
Pool C in Chiang Mai: Brazil, Puerto Rico, France, Greece
Pool D in Nakhon Ratchasima: USA, Czechia, Argentina, Slovenia
Pool E in Nakhon Ratchasima: Türkiye, Canada, Bulgaria, Spain
Pool F in Chiang Mai: China, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico
Pool G in Phuket: Poland, Germany, Kenya, Vietnam
Pool H in Bangkok: Japan, Serbia, Ukraine, Cameroon

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