The Bulgarian women's national team will play against European champion Turkey in Group E of the World Championship in Thailand (August 22 - September 7, 2025). Our other two opponents are Canada and Spain. The "Lionesses" will play in Nakhon Ratchasima, and the first two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16. There they will play cross-matches with the first two from Group D, which includes the USA, Czech Republic, Argentina, and Slovenia.
The first pairings for the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship, the highlight of next year's international calendar, were determined today in Bangkok during the draw for the event.
The 32 qualified teams that will compete in Thailand were divided into eight groups of four for the start of the tournament:
Group A: Thailand, Netherlands, Sweden, Egypt in Bangkok
Group B: Italy, Belgium, Cuba, Slovakia in Phuket
Group C: Brazil, Puerto Rico, France, Greece in Chiang Mai
Group D: USA, Czech Republic, Argentina, Slovenia in Nakhon Ratchasima
Group E: Turkey, Canada, Bulgaria, Spain in Nakhon Ratchasima
Group F: China, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico in Chiang Mai
Group G: Poland, Germany, Kenya, Vietnam in Phuket
Group H: Japan, Serbia, Ukraine, Cameroon in Bangkok
With Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and Chiang Mai as host cities, the group stage will determine the 16 national teams that will advance to the knockout phase – the first two teams from each group qualify. Starting from the round of 16, the direct elimination phases will be held in Bangkok.
The 2025 World Championship will be the first in the "new era" of the tournament. From this edition, the competition will be held every two years and will have an expanded format with 32 national teams participating in each gender.
Bulgaria qualified for the World Championship due to its good position in the ranking. This was achieved after our team finished seventh at the 2023 European Championship. The Turkish team, on the other hand, won the title after a fantastic final against Serbia – 3:2.
