The FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League 2026 continues on July 18 with six matches across three host cities, offering a packed slate of compelling rivalries and form tests as teams battle for positioning in the tournament.
Iran vs Slovenia (01:00, Belgrade, Serbia):
This highlight match renews a tight head-to-head rivalry, with Slovenia edging Iran 3-2 in their most recent meeting in 2025 after Iran had swept Slovenia 3-0 in 2022. Iran enter after a 3-1 loss to Ukraine, though they had previously defeated Cuba and pushed Japan to five sets, while Slovenia arrive on a high note with a 3-1 win over Germany, having also swept Brazil in late June.
China vs Bulgaria (04:00, Chicago, USA):
Bulgaria claimed a 3-0 win over China in their last men's head-to-head meeting in 2025, though earlier women's encounters saw China take a 3-2 win and a 3-0 victory. China are coming off a 3-0 defeat to the USA, while Bulgaria were swept 3-0 by Poland in their most recent outing, setting the stage for two sides looking to bounce back.
Brazil vs Poland (08:00, Chicago, USA):
The history between these two is split by recent results—Poland swept Brazil 3-0 in the most recent men's meeting in 2025, but Brazil women edged Poland 3-1 in their 2026 matchup, and women's encounters in 2025 also favored Brazil. Brazil men swept France 3-0 in their last match, while Poland men similarly swept Bulgaria 3-0, with both sides showing strong form after mixed results in other competitions.
Canada vs Cuba (11:00, Osaka, Japan):
Canada have won both recent head-to-head meetings, taking a 3-1 victory in 2024 and a 3-2 win in 2023. Canada's men are coming off narrow losses—a 3-2 defeat to Japan and a 3-2 loss to Argentina—while Cuba men secured a 3-0 sweep over Belgium but have dropped 3-1 decisions to Iran and Serbia in their last two outings.
Argentina vs Italy (17:20, Osaka, Japan):
Italy have won the last two men's meetings, claiming a 3-1 victory in 2025 and a 3-0 sweep in 2023, though Argentina had swept Italy 3-0 earlier in 2023. Argentina men ground out a 3-2 win over Canada in their latest match, while Italy men swept Belgium 3-0 but had previously lost 3-2 to Japan, with both sides seeking consistency.
Türkiye vs Slovenia (21:30, Belgrade, Serbia):
Slovenia have dominated men's head-to-head encounters, sweeping Türkiye 3-0 in both their 2025 and 2024 meetings, though a women's match in 2025 saw Türkiye win 3-0. Türkiye men arrive after a 3-0 sweep of Serbia, while Slovenia men followed a 3-1 win over Germany with a 1-3 loss to Italy—both teams carrying momentum from recent victories.