Everything at Stake as VNL Teams Battle for Finals Qualification and Survival
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The final week of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2026 Women’s Preliminary Phase begins on Wednesday, with teams competing for places in the Finals while others fight to avoid relegation.
Matches will be played in Hong Kong, Osaka, and Belgrade from July 8 to July 12, with the results determining the final standings before the knockout stage.
The VNL Finals will take place in Macao, China, from July 22 to July 26.
Race for the Finals
Host nation China has already secured its place in the Finals. The remaining seven spots will be awarded to the highest-ranked teams at the end of the preliminary round.
Several leading teams remain in strong contention, including:
- United States
- Brazil
- Italy
- Poland
- Japan
- Türkiye
- Canada
With only one week of matches remaining, every victory could prove decisive in the race for qualification.
Relegation Battle Intensifies
The battle at the bottom of the standings is equally competitive. The team finishing 18th at the end of the preliminary phase will be relegated from the 2027 Volleyball Nations League.
Teams currently aiming to avoid the drop include:
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- Dominican Republic
- Belgium
The relegated team will be replaced next season by the highest-ranked national team in the FIVB World Rankings that did not participate in the 2026 VNL.
Osaka to Host High-Profile Matchups
The Osaka pool features several of the tournament’s top-ranked teams and is expected to produce some of the week’s biggest matches.
Wednesday’s schedule includes:
- Poland vs Türkiye
- Thailand vs United States
- Brazil vs Japan
The United States enters the week at the top of the standings after winning six consecutive matches, while Brazil and Japan are also looking to strengthen their positions ahead of the Finals.
Important Fixtures in Hong Kong
Hong Kong will also host several key matches that could shape both the qualification and relegation races.
Wednesday’s fixtures include:
- Belgium vs Dominican Republic
- Italy vs Ukraine
Defending champions Italy will aim to continue their impressive campaign, while Ukraine looks to collect valuable points to secure its place in next year’s tournament.
Belgium and the Dominican Republic will also be targeting an important victory as both teams seek to improve their position in the standings.
Decisive Week Ahead
With only a handful of matches remaining before the Finals, every result carries significant importance. Teams chasing the championship will be looking to secure qualification, while those near the bottom of the table will be focused on preserving their place in the Volleyball Nations League for the 2027 season.
