Pool B: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Men’s World Championship Contenders

The Global Stage is Set

This 21st edition marks a significant shift, establishing the World Championship as a biennial event with an expanded field of 32 teams. The initial pool play phase, from September 12-18, will see teams battling within eight groups of four. Only the top two from each pool will earn a coveted spot in the elimination rounds, beginning with the Round of 16 on September 20-23, leading to the Quarterfinals (Sept 24-25), Semifinals (Sept 27), and culminating in the medal matches on September 28. Each match is a step towards history, a testament to years of training, and a strategic masterclass.

Pool B: A Blend of Power, Potential, and Persistence

Pool B features a fascinating quartet: Poland, The Netherlands, Qatar, and Romania. This group offers a compelling narrative, from a perennial powerhouse expected to dominate, to a team facing a significant transition, a rising star poised to make waves, and a nostalgic return to the world stage.

Poland: The Unyielding Quest for Gold

If there`s one team that knows the taste of World Championship gold, it`s Poland. Winners of the 2023 European Championship and currently topping the FIVB World Ranking, Poland arrives in the Philippines not just as contenders, but as reigning giants. Their history is rich with 18 appearances and an impressive three titles (1974, 2014, 2018), complemented by silver medals in 2006 and 2022. One might even suggest their trophy cabinet requires an extension at this rate. Under the astute guidance of former Serbian star setter Nikola Grbić since 2022, the Polish squad is a fearsome collective. With an arsenal featuring prolific outside hitters like Wilfredo León, Tomasz Fornal, and Kamil Semeniuk, alongside the devastating power of opposite Bartosz Kurek and the formidable presence of middle blocker Jakub Kochanowski, Poland is a well-oiled machine designed for victory. Their Pool B matches are less about qualification and more about setting a commanding tone for the knockout stages.

The Netherlands: Forging a New Path

The Netherlands, an original participant in the 1949 tournament, returns for their 13th appearance, carrying the legacy of a silver medal from 1994. Ranked 19th in the FIVB World Ranking, the Dutch are currently navigating a significant transitional period under their new English coach, Joel Banks. The summer of 2025 sees them without their stellar opposite Nimir Abdel-Aziz, who opted for a well-deserved recovery period. This absence creates both a challenge and an opportunity. It’s a chance for other key players such as setter Wessel Keemink, opposite Michiel Ahyi, and outside hitter Bennie Tuinstra to step into larger roles and prove their mettle on the biggest stage. This Dutch team embodies a fascinating rebuild, a test of how a collective can compensate for the absence of a singular star. Their journey through Pool B will be a crucial indicator of their progress.

Qatar: The Ascending Force

Emerging as one of international volleyball`s most dynamic rising teams, Qatar has rapidly climbed the ranks. Their bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Championship marked a historic first for the nation and secured their second World Championship appearance, following a 21st-place finish in 2022. Ranked 20th globally, just behind the Dutch, Qatar is coached by Argentine Camilo Soto, who has been instrumental in their development since 2018. The Qatari squad boasts a solid core, including potent outside hitters Wadidie Raimi and Renan Ribeiro, commanding middle blockers Belal Abunabot and Mohamed Ibrahim Ibrahim, and the powerful opposite Mubarak Dahi Hammad. For Qatar, Pool B is more than just a group stage; it`s an opportunity to solidify their position among the world`s elite and demonstrate that their recent successes are not mere flashes in the pan, but a sustained upward trajectory.

Romania: A Return from the Annals of History

Perhaps the most compelling story in Pool B belongs to Romania. Qualifying via the FIVB World Ranking, they are set to make their 11th World Championship appearance, but critically, their first since 1982. This isn`t just a return; it`s a resurrection for a nation that once dominated the early decades of the tournament, securing four medals – silver in 1956 and 1966, and bronze in 1960 and 1962. One might say they`ve spent the better part of four decades perfecting their comeback strategy. Now ranked 22nd in the world, Romania is led by head coach Sergiu Stancu, who took the helm in 2021. The team relies on the impact of outside hitters Adrian Aciobăniței and Daniel Chiţigoi, opposite Alexandru Rață, and middle blocker Bela Bartha. Their presence in Pool B isn`t just about competing; it`s about reclaiming a storied legacy and proving that the spirit of Romanian volleyball, though dormant for decades, is far from extinguished.