At the ceremonial drawing of lots for the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Cup, April 17, 2026. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The final pool composition of the 2026 AVC Women's Volleyball Cup was revealed Friday, as the tournament's ceremonial drawing of lots took place at the Diamond Hotel in the nation's capital.
The tournament is scheduled on June 6 to 14, and will be hosted by Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
The Philippines was grouped with Chinese Taipei, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Australia and Uzbekistan in Pool A, while Pool B will be joined by Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Lebanon.
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The country, which will be bannered by Alas Filipinas Women, hopes to defend — or surpass — its previous first runner-up placing in last year's edition, when it was still branded as AVC Nations Cup.
"I am confident that this competition will once again deliver thrilling matches and inspire volleyball fans across Philippines and all of Asia," said AVC president Ramon "Tats" Suzara during the drawing of lots.
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The 12 teams will be competing in a single-round robin format in the pool phase, for a total of 30 matches in the two pools.
Only the top two teams of each pool will proceed to the crossover semifinals. The first-place team in Pool A will face the second-place team in Pool B, while the top-ranked crew in Pool B will battle the runner-up squad in Pool A.
The winners of the semifinals will collide for the AVC Women's Cup title in the championship stage, while the two losing semifinalists will battle for the third and fourth places.