Asia’s road to Los Angeles begins in Fukuoka

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The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games has officially begun for Asian men’s volleyball, with the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship getting underway in Fukuoka, Japan, on September 4.

Twelve national teams are competing at the Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium, but there is considerably more at stake than the continental crown: the champions of the tournament will earn Asia’s direct quota for the men’s Olympic volleyball tournament at LA 2028, making this the first major step in the qualification race beyond the automatic place already reserved for hosts USA. The three medalists will also qualify for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.

The opening day began with Iran immediately showing why they are among the leading contenders.
The four-time Asian champions defeated New Zealand 3-0 (25:15, 25:12, 25:22) in the first match of the tournament, giving the Iranians a perfect start in Pool B. Iran arrived in Fukuoka as silver medalists from the previous Asian Championship in 2023 and as one of the highest-ranked teams in the field.

The other matches of the opening day feature Korea against Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan against Oman, with Japan beginning their title defence in front of their home crowd.
The Japanese are not only the reigning champions but also the highest-ranked Asian team in the world, making them the natural favourites for the tournament.
And that is precisely why what happens in Fukuoka matters beyond Asia.
Japan enter the competition with an impressive historical record. They are the most successful team in the history of the Asian Championship, with ten gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals. They have also reached the podium at each of the last three editions. Their international legacy goes even further: Japan remain the only Asian men’s national team ever to win Olympic gold, triumphing at the 1972 Munich Games.
Their current generation also arrives with strong credentials after finishing fourth in the 2026 VNL.

Iran are perhaps the most obvious threat.
They have won four Asian titles, in 2011, 2013, 2019 and 2021, and have collected eight medals overall. Their silver medal at the previous edition makes them one of the teams with the strongest recent continental pedigree.
China are another historical heavyweight. They have three Asian titles — 1979, 1997 and 1999 — but an extraordinary 15 medals overall. Korea have also been crowned Asian champions four times, although their most recent title dates back to 2003. Earlier this year, Korea finished runners-up at the AVC Volleyball Cup.
There are also several teams capable of complicating the favourites’ plans. Bahrain arrive as the winners of the 2025 AVC Nations Cup, while India took bronze at this year’s AVC Volleyball Cup. Australia, meanwhile, have their own continental pedigree, having won the Asian title in 2007.

The twelve teams have been divided into three groups of four. The top two teams from each pool will advance directly to the quarterfinals, joined by the two best third-placed teams. From that point onwards, the competition becomes a straight knockout tournament, with the champion to be crowned on September 13.

Pool A brings together Japan, Australia, Bahrain and Oman. Pool B features Iran, China, India and New Zealand, while Pool C consists of Qatar, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

For Japan, the objective is obvious: defend their continental crown on home soil and secure the first Asian Olympic ticket for Los Angeles 2028.
For Iran and the other contenders, it is an opportunity to write their own chapter.

Group stage schedule:

Friday September 4, 2026
12.00 (Local Time) – Iran – New Zealand
16.00 (Local Time) – Republic of Korea – Chinese Taipei
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Oman

Saturday September 5, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Australia – Bahrain
13.30 (Local Time) – China – India
16.00 (Local Time) – Qatar – Thailand

Sunday September 6, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Iran – India
13.30 (Local Time) – Qatar – Chinese Taipei
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Bahrain

Monday September 7, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Oman – Australia
13.30 (Local Time) – New Zealand – China
17.00 (Local Time) – Thailand – Republic of Korea

Tuesday September 8, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – India – New Zealand
13.30 (Local Time) – Qatar – Republic of Korea
19.30 (Local Time) – Japan – Australia

Wednesday September 9, 2026
10.00 (Local Time) – Bahrain – Oman
13.30 (Local Time) – Chinese Taipei – Thailand
17.00 (Local Time) – Iran – China

After the group stage, eight teams will advance to the quarterfinals, and on September 13, the Asian champion and the first men’s team to win an Olympic quota for Los Angeles 2028 through the qualification system will be determined.

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