Women's VNL 2026: USA finish on top, quarterfinal matchups set for Macao

The Preliminary Phase of the 2026 Women's Volleyball Nations League came to a close on Sunday, July 12, with matches in three host cities, setting the bracket for the Finals in Macao from July 22 to 28. The United States claimed the top seed and will face hosts China, while defending champions Italy take on the Netherlands.

The eight qualified teams are the United States, Italy, Brazil, Türkiye, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan and China, the last of whom advanced as the host nation. The final standings determined the quarterfinal pairings: top-ranked USA meet China, second-placed Italy play seventh-placed Netherlands, third-placed Brazil take on sixth-placed Japan, and fourth-placed Türkiye face fifth-placed Canada.

Three-time VNL champions, the United States secured the top seed by defeating Brazil 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-16) in Osaka, finishing with ten wins and 29 points. Brazil ended with nine wins and 26 points in third place. Olympic champion opposite Jordan Thompson contributed 16 points, while outside hitter Avery Skinner posted a season-best 21 points.

Back-to-back defending champions Italy also closed the Preliminary Phase with a win, edging China 3-2 (25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-12, 15-12) in Hong Kong thanks to a 28-point performance from star opposite Ekaterina Antropova. The Italians finished second with ten wins and 28 points; China were ninth with six wins and 19 points, qualifying for the Finals as the host country.

Türkiye claimed fourth place (nine wins, 25 points) with a 3-1 comeback win over Thailand in Osaka, powered by Melissa Vargas' 25 points. It will be the first time that China hosts the Volleyball Nations League Finals.

Sources

https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/news/usa-at-top-canada-and-japan-in-vnl-quarterfinals-set