VNL 2026: Pool 9 in Osaka completed. Belgium and Italy closed in style, Japan made history closing preliminary round with a perfect 12-0!

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The third (and last) competition week of the Preliminary Phase in the Volleyball Nations League 2026 has been completed today with three cities across the world – Osaka in Japan, Belgrade in Serbia and Chicago in the United States – hosting a total of 36 matches, which will finalize the standings as well as the top seven teams to the quarterfinals in Ningbo along with hosts China, and now also USA, Japan, Slovenia, Poland and Italy.

Live from Osaka, newcomers Belgium wrapped up VNL 2026 campaign with a straight-sets victory over Canada: 25:22, 25:22, 25:19.
The win sees Belgium finish the preliminary round with a 4-8 record. Meanwhile, Canada ends its campaign at 1-11 and yesterday has been officially relegated from the Volleyball Nations League.
In just three sets, Ferre Reggers led the charge with 24 points to his name including 2 aces and 2 blocks. His Canadian counterpart Xander Ketrzynski led his team with 13.

Italy Advances To The VNL Finals!
Italy has officially qualified for the Finals after defeating Cuba in four sets: 1-3 (25:17, 19:25, 21:25, 17:25).
The winners finish the preliminary round with an 8-4 record, while Cuba ends its campaign at 3-9.
Italian opposite Yuri Romano was the top scorer of the match with 17 points to his name, while outside Miguel Lopez was Cuba’s most prolific player with 11 points.

In the Japanese evening, the hosts Japan secured a perfect 12-0 sweep!
Japan has officially completed a flawless preliminary round, finishing with a perfect 12-0 record and making history in the process, capping off their dominant campaign by sweeping Argentina in straight sets: 25:22, 25:22, 25:16.
With the preliminary round complete, Japan now advances to the VNL quarterfinals, where it will face host nation China!
Argentina ended up in 15th place on 3-9 and 10. Outside hitter and captain Yuki Ishikawa emerged as the top scorer of the match with 21 points, while outside hitters Luciano Vicentin and Manuel Armoa produced a team-high 12 points each for Argentina.

With the end of Preliminary Phase of 2026 Volleyball Nations League, all seven teams joining hosts China into the upcoming Finals in Ningbo are known.
The last two vacancies in the quarterfinals were filled on Sunday, when Turkiye and Ukraine, who will participate in the Finals for the first time in the history of the VNL, secured their spots alongside Japan, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, the United States and the home team China.
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🏐| FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2026 | Games of the day

— Sunday | July 19, 2026—

👉🏼 Pool 9 – Week 3 – Osaka 🇯🇵
• 12.00 (Local Time) | Belgium – Canada 3-0 (25:22, 25:22, 25:19)
• 15.30 (Local Time) | Cuba – Italy 1-3 (25:17, 19:25, 21:25, 17:25)
• 19.20 (Local Time) | Japan – Argentina 3-0 (25:22, 25:22, 25:16)

| Pool 7 – Week 3 – Belgrade 🇷🇸
• 13.00 (Local Time) | Türkiye – Iran 3-1 (17:25, 25:22, 25:16, 25:19)
• 16.30 (Local Time) | Ukraine – Germany 3-1 (25:23, 20:25, 25:22, 26:24)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | Serbia – Slovenia 0-3 (19:25, 21:25, 22:25)

| Pool 8 – Week 3 – Chicago 🇺🇸
• 12.00 (Local Time) | China – Brazil 0-3 (16:25, 20:25, 21:25)
• 16.00 (Local Time) | Bulgaria – France 0-3 (21:25, 22:25, 21:25)
• 20.00 (Local Time) | USA – Poland 0-3 (20:25, 21:25, 19:25)

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🏐| FINAL STANDINGS (updated on this day)
1. Japan 30
2. Poland 29
3. Slovenia 26
4. Italy 26
5. USA 25
6. Türkiye 22
7. Ukraine 23
8. Bulgaria 20
9. Brazil 19
10. France 16
11. Serbia 16
12. Germany 15
13. Belgium 12
14. Iran 11
15. Argentina 10
16. Cuba 10
17. Canada 10
18. China 4

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🏐| NEXT GAMES

SOON

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