(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Men’s Volleyball Nations League 2026 Returns with Matches Across Three European Cities
The second week of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 is set to begin on Wednesday, with matches taking place in Gliwice (Poland), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Orleans (France).
A total of 36 matches will be played during the week as the 18 participating teams continue their campaign in the preliminary phase of the tournament.
Teams Continue Race for VNL Finals
Each team will play four additional matches during the second competition week as they aim to secure a place in the VNL Finals, scheduled to be held in China.
The top seven teams in the final preliminary phase standings will qualify for the Finals, joining the host nation in the knockout stage.
Poland Looks to Benefit from Home Advantage
Defending champions Poland men’s national volleyball team will play in front of home supporters in Gliwice as they look to improve their position in the standings.
After the opening week, Poland holds a 2-2 record and sits seventh in the table. The team will begin its second-week campaign against Belgium men’s national volleyball team on Wednesday.
Belgium currently occupies 10th place and will be aiming to strengthen its position in the competition.
Opening-Day Matches in Gliwice
Wednesday’s schedule in Gliwice includes three matches:
| Match | Local Time |
|---|---|
| China vs Turkiye | 13:00 |
| Germany vs Argentina | 16:30 |
| Poland vs Belgium | 20:00 |
The opening match will see China men’s national volleyball team face Turkey men’s national volleyball team, while Germany men’s national volleyball team will take on Argentina men’s national volleyball team later in the day.
Important Week for Teams
Several teams will be looking to improve their records as the competition intensifies. Argentina enters the week searching for its first victory of the season, while Germany, Belgium, and Turkiye continue their push toward the qualification positions.
With two more weeks remaining in the preliminary phase, every match could play a key role in determining which teams advance to the Finals and which teams face the threat of relegation.
Tournament Continues Across Europe
Alongside the matches in Poland, additional fixtures will be played throughout the week in Slovenia and France, providing volleyball fans with a busy schedule of international competition.
