Thailand is set to make history as the 20th FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship kicks off on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's journey to elevate the sport in the Kingdom.
This year's tournament, which is being held in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Chiang Mai until Sept 7, is the first using a new format, with the world title being contested every two years.
The event, which is being staged in Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time, is also the first to have an expanded field of 32 teams, allowing more countries to participate in the tournament.
The 32 participating nations have been split into eight pools of four each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the elimination rounds, which will feature the round of 16, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the medal matches.
Pool play will see 48 matches held in four cities until Aug 27. For the elimination rounds, the competition will move entirely to Bangkok, which will host the round of 16 from Aug 29 to Sept 1, the quarter-finals on Sept 3-4, the semi-finals on Sept 6 and the medal matches on Sept 7.
Reigning Asian champions Thailand, who earned their place in the world championship as the host country, are in Pool A along with the Netherlands, Sweden and Egypt.
The Thais, who are currently in 21st place in the world rankings, will be making their seventh appearance in the tournament.
Coached by Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, the home team begin their campaign on Friday against the 51st-ranked Egypt at Bangkok's Indoor Stadium where world No.8 the Netherlands will meet No.26 Sweden on the same day.
Defending champions Serbia, coached by Zoran Terzic, will also play their Pool H matches against Japan, Ukraine and Cameroon in the capital city.
Before arriving in Thailand, Serbia came out on top in a preparation tournament held in China, beating the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Canada, who will all compete at the 2025 world championship.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic and Nations League champions Italy, led by star opposite Paola Egonu, will face Belgium, Cuba and Slovakia in Pool B in Phuket.
The Italians lock horns with Slovakia in their opening match on Friday while Belgium take on Cuba.
Pool G matches between Poland, Germany, Kenya and Vietnam will also be held at Phuket Municipal Stadium.
World No.2 Brazil, coached by legendary Jose 'Ze Roberto' Guimaraes, will be based in Chiang Mai where they will face Puerto Rico, France and Greece in Pool C.
The Brazilians take on Greece in Friday's opener while Puerto Rico meet France at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
World No.4 China are also in Chiang Mai where they will be up against Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico in Pool F.
First-year head coach Zhao Yong will count on star outside hitter Li Yingying and middle blocker Gao Yi in Thailand.
United States, Czech Republic, Argentina and Slovenia will play their Pool D matches in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The Americans, under head coach Erik Sullivan, meet Slovenia in their opening match on Friday while Czech Republic take on Argentina.
Korat's Chatchai Hall will also host Pool E matches between Turkey, Canada, Bulgaria and Spain.
TVA announces squad
The Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) has announced 14 players for the world championship on Thursday.
Outside hitters Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Chatchu-on Moksri, star opposite Pimpichaya Kokram, middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang, setter Pornpun Guedpard and libero Piyanut Pannoy all made the team.
Nineteen-year-old rising star Warisara Seetaloed, who impressed in the FIVB Nations League tournament, was also included in the squad.
"We are 100 percent ready. We have never played Egypt before but I'm sure it will be an exciting game. I hope the fans will come out in numbers. We will try to do our best," said team captain Ajcharaporn.
This year's tournament, which is being held in Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket and Chiang Mai until Sept 7, is the first using a new format, with the world title being contested every two years.
The event, which is being staged in Thailand and Southeast Asia for the first time, is also the first to have an expanded field of 32 teams, allowing more countries to participate in the tournament.
The 32 participating nations have been split into eight pools of four each. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the elimination rounds, which will feature the round of 16, the quarter-finals, the semi-finals and the medal matches.
Pool play will see 48 matches held in four cities until Aug 27. For the elimination rounds, the competition will move entirely to Bangkok, which will host the round of 16 from Aug 29 to Sept 1, the quarter-finals on Sept 3-4, the semi-finals on Sept 6 and the medal matches on Sept 7.
Reigning Asian champions Thailand, who earned their place in the world championship as the host country, are in Pool A along with the Netherlands, Sweden and Egypt.
The Thais, who are currently in 21st place in the world rankings, will be making their seventh appearance in the tournament.
Coached by Kiattipong Radchatagriengkai, the home team begin their campaign on Friday against the 51st-ranked Egypt at Bangkok's Indoor Stadium where world No.8 the Netherlands will meet No.26 Sweden on the same day.
Defending champions Serbia, coached by Zoran Terzic, will also play their Pool H matches against Japan, Ukraine and Cameroon in the capital city.
Before arriving in Thailand, Serbia came out on top in a preparation tournament held in China, beating the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Canada, who will all compete at the 2025 world championship.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic and Nations League champions Italy, led by star opposite Paola Egonu, will face Belgium, Cuba and Slovakia in Pool B in Phuket.
The Italians lock horns with Slovakia in their opening match on Friday while Belgium take on Cuba.
Pool G matches between Poland, Germany, Kenya and Vietnam will also be held at Phuket Municipal Stadium.
World No.2 Brazil, coached by legendary Jose 'Ze Roberto' Guimaraes, will be based in Chiang Mai where they will face Puerto Rico, France and Greece in Pool C.
The Brazilians take on Greece in Friday's opener while Puerto Rico meet France at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
World No.4 China are also in Chiang Mai where they will be up against Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico in Pool F.
First-year head coach Zhao Yong will count on star outside hitter Li Yingying and middle blocker Gao Yi in Thailand.
United States, Czech Republic, Argentina and Slovenia will play their Pool D matches in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The Americans, under head coach Erik Sullivan, meet Slovenia in their opening match on Friday while Czech Republic take on Argentina.
Korat's Chatchai Hall will also host Pool E matches between Turkey, Canada, Bulgaria and Spain.
TVA announces squad
The Thailand Volleyball Association (TVA) has announced 14 players for the world championship on Thursday.
Outside hitters Ajcharaporn Kongyot, Chatchu-on Moksri, star opposite Pimpichaya Kokram, middle blocker Thatdao Nuekjang, setter Pornpun Guedpard and libero Piyanut Pannoy all made the team.
Nineteen-year-old rising star Warisara Seetaloed, who impressed in the FIVB Nations League tournament, was also included in the squad.
"We are 100 percent ready. We have never played Egypt before but I'm sure it will be an exciting game. I hope the fans will come out in numbers. We will try to do our best," said team captain Ajcharaporn.
