Knockout bracket set! Eighthfinals serve off on Saturday

The pool phase of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship has concluded, with 16 teams eliminated and the remaining 16 advancing to the eighthfinals in Pasay City, Philippines. The knockout stage will take place from September 20 to 23, featuring two matches daily at 15:30 and 20:00 local time.

On September 20, Turkiye—surprise winners of Pool G after defeating higher-ranked Japan and Canada—will face the Netherlands, who finished second in Pool B. Later that day, Poland, Pool B winners, will play Canada, who caused an upset by shutting out Japan.

September 21 features a highly anticipated match between Argentina, who topped Pool C undefeated and knocked out Olympic champions France, and Italy, the reigning world champions who unexpectedly lost to Belgium and qualified as Pool F runners-up. The day's second match will see unbeaten Belgium face Finland, who impressed by taking two sets from Argentina and defeating France in a crucial five-setter.

On September 22, Bulgaria, undefeated winners of Pool E after beating higher-ranked Germany and Slovenia, will play Portugal, who upset Cuba and came from behind against Colombia to finish second in Pool D. The United States, unbeaten in Pool D, will face Slovenia, runners-up in Pool E.

The final eighthfinals on September 23 will begin with Tunisia, who surprisingly topped Pool A by defeating Egypt in a straight-set derby, against Czechia, surprise runners-up in Pool H after stunning Serbia and defeating China. The last match will feature Serbia, who recovered from an opening loss to win Pool H, against Iran, who narrowly survived Pool A by denying the Philippines six match points in a decider.