The 2026 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League continues its electrifying run on July 19, with eight high-stakes matches stretching the globe from Belgrade to Chicago and Osaka, promising a full day of action.
Serbia vs Germany (01:00, Belgrade, Serbia):
This highlight match renews a rivalry with a twist: while Serbia swept Germany 3-0 in their most recent women's meeting on July 11, 2026, the tables turned in the men's game at last year's VNL where Germany claimed a 3-1 victory. Serbia enter after a mixed weekend—a commanding 3-1 win over Ukraine followed by a 0-3 sweep by Türkiye—while Germany arrive still smarting from a narrow 3-2 loss to Iran, looking to rebound.
France vs Poland (04:00, Chicago, USA):
These two squads share a history of tight five-set thrillers, with Poland edging France 3-2 in their last VNL meeting on July 20, 2025, just months after France returned the favor in a 3-2 win of their own in 2024. France arrive with a 3-0 sweep of China fresh in their memory, though they suffered a 0-3 setback to Brazil, while Poland dismantled Bulgaria 3-0 in their most recent outing.
USA vs Bulgaria (08:00, Chicago, USA):
The USA have momentum on home soil, having swept Brazil and China in straight sets in their last two matches, while Bulgaria have struggled recently, falling 0-3 to Poland and Germany. Their head-to-head tells a tale of two teams trading blows—Bulgaria bested the USA 3-1 in the 2024 men's VNL, but the Americans answered with a 3-0 win in 2023.
Belgium vs Canada (10:00, Osaka, Japan):
Belgium and Canada have met most recently in women's play—where Canada took a 3-1 win in July 2025—and their men's sides face off after both endured tough losses, with Belgium swept 0-3 by Japan and Italy, while Canada fell in a five-set heartbreaker to Japan. The pair have a history of close contests, including a 3-2 Belgium win in the women's VNL last year.
Cuba vs Italy (13:30, Osaka, Japan):
Italy have dominated this matchup historically, winning their last three head-to-head meetings—including a 3-1 victory in the 2025 men's VNL—but Cuba enter on a high note after a gritty 3-2 win over Argentina. Italy, meanwhile, come in buoyed by a 3-0 sweep of Belgium despite a 3-2 loss to Japan.
Japan vs Argentina (17:20, Osaka, Japan):
Japan and Argentina have developed a penchant for drama, with their last three men's VNL encounters all going to five sets: Japan won twice in 2024 and 2025, and Argentina pushed to a 3-2 result in 2023. Japan are on a three-match win streak, including a 3-0 sweep of Belgium, while Argentina have battled to two five-set losses in a row, most recently falling to Cuba.
Türkiye vs Iran (18:00, Belgrade, Serbia):
The men's sides of Türkiye and Iran meet for the first time since Türkiye's 3-1 win in the 2024 VNL, and both arrive off dramatic five-set encounters: Türkiye edged Ukraine 3-2, while Iran downed Germany by the same scoreline. Each team carries momentum from that marathon win, setting the stage for a potentially tight rematch.
Ukraine vs Germany (21:30, Belgrade, Serbia):
Ukraine and Germany last faced off in the women's VNL on June 4, 2026, where Ukraine rallied for a 3-2 victory, and now their men's teams meet with Ukraine hungry after two straight losses—a 3-2 defeat to Türkiye and a 3-1 loss to Serbia—while Germany seek to shake off a 3-2 loss to Iran. Ukraine's 3-1 win over Iran on July 15 shows their capacity to rebound.