India finish 8th in AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026

India bowed out in the quarter-finals

The Indian men’s volleyball team finished eighth in the final standings at the AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026, held in Fukuoka, Japan, from September 4 to 13.

The Men in Blue, drawn in Pool B, began their campaign with a devastating 3-0 (25-21, 28-26, 27-25) loss to China. Their next match against Iran also ended in a straight-sets 3-0 defeat (25-20, 28-26, 25-18).

The back-to-back defeats put India on the verge of elimination, but they fought back with a final-day win over New Zealand. Chirag Yadav and Charles Jerome Vinith starred to fire India to a 3-0 (25-22, 25-18, 25-21) win.

Japan defend title; Iran, South Korea clinch World Cup spots

Japan successfully defended their AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship title, beating Iran 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-23) in the final on Sunday. Ryujin Nippon has now won this competition a record 11 times, making them the most successful men’s volleyball side in Asia.

Also Read: India bow out of AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2026 after quarter-final defeat to Japan

Despite the final heartbreak, Iran secured second place, marking their second consecutive runners-up finish in the competition. South Korea finished third after securing a thrilling 3-2 (16-25, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 15-9) win against Australia. 

Due to their final standings, Japan, Iran and South Korea sealed places in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup 2027 in Poland. Japan also qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics and the AVC Men’s Volleyball Continental Championship 2028.

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