In the eighth year of the FIVB Nations League (VNL) “super tournament” for women’s volleyball, Thailand’s national team faces the risk of relegation, while Vietnam is the leading candidate to take its place.

Thailand volleyball’s concerns

On the afternoon of June 3, the women’s volleyball team suffered a 0-3 defeat against Serbia in the opening match of the new VNL season, a competition for the world’s strongest teams.

Launched in 2018, the VNL quickly became the most attractive arena in volleyball, excluding events like the Olympics or World Championships.

This platform allows the strongest teams in the world, both men’s and women’s, to regularly compete. During the group stage alone, each team plays up to 12 matches.

The VNL is therefore a dream tournament for Asian volleyball representatives like Thailand or South Korea (and also Vietnam). While Thailand is playing its eighth consecutive season, Vietnam has never qualified for the tournament.

Last year, Thailand dramatically defeated South Korea in the race. Both teams won only one match, but Thailand ranked 17th out of 18 due to a better tiebreaker score.

Without South Korea, Thailand’s relegation risk becomes more evident, as this year’s replacement team is Ukraine, a strong force in European volleyball.

The opening loss to Serbia 0-3 made Thailand feel the pressure clearly. Due to this defeat, the Thai team lost 5.22 points from the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), dropping to 19th in the world rankings.

Currently, Thailand has 166.44 points on the FIVB rankings, ranking 19th, while Vietnam is 28th with 136.75 points.

For Thailand, the FIVB ranking is not very important. What the Thai women’s volleyball team needs is not to finish last in the VNL.

“But it will be very painful for Thai volleyball if we are relegated, while Vietnam wins the tournament spot. Then, Vietnam could become the number one power in Southeast Asia,” a fan pointed out on the sports forum Pantip.

According to FIVB rules, each season, the team that earns a VNL spot is the one with the highest ranking among those outside the tournament. In theory, Vietnam needs to enter the world’s top 18 to qualify.

This is truly a goal within reach for Thanh Thuy and her teammates. Almost simultaneously with the VNL, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team will participate in the AVC Cup.

This is a tournament Vietnam has won three consecutive times, and it is naturally the leading candidate for this year’s event.

The points race

In last year’s season, Vietnam earned a total of 28.47 points from the 2025 AVC Cup. Then, Vietnam gained an additional 14.58 points from winning the SEA V.League – the Southeast Asian Championship.

If they repeat the above achievements, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team could add about 40 points. Then, compared to the current rankings, Vietnam would stand 18

VNL

VNL typically refers to the Volleyball Nations League, an annual international volleyball competition organized by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). Launched in 2018, it replaced the previous World League and Grand Prix tournaments, bringing together the world’s top men’s and women’s national teams in a high-profile, multi-round format. The event has grown to become a key fixture in the global volleyball calendar, showcasing elite talent and fostering international competition.

Olympics

The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, first held in Olympia in 776 BCE as a religious festival honoring Zeus. After being abolished in the 4th century, they were revived in 1896 in Athens by Pierre de Coubertin, becoming the modern international sporting event we know today. The Olympics now unite nations every four years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games, symbolizing global peace and athletic excellence.

World Championships

The “World Championships” is a broad term that refers to the premier international competitions in various sports, such as the FIFA World Cup (soccer) or the World Athletics Championships. These events often have deep historical roots, with the first modern World Championships emerging in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to standardize competition and crown global champions. They serve as pinnacle events where athletes from around the world compete for the ultimate title in their respective disciplines.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a culturally and geographically diverse region comprising countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms such as Angkor and Srivijaya, as well as colonial influences from Europe. The area was a major hub for trade and cultural exchange along maritime routes, blending indigenous traditions with Indian, Chinese, and Islamic elements. Today, it is known for its vibrant temples, bustling cities, and stunning natural landscapes, reflecting a dynamic fusion of historical and modern influences.

AVC Cup

The AVC Cup is a biennial volleyball tournament organized by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) for national teams in Asia and Oceania. First held in 2008, it serves as a qualifying event for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup, with the men’s edition introduced later. The competition has grown in prominence, featuring top Asian teams like Japan, China, and Thailand, and has become a key platform for regional volleyball development.

SEA V.League

The SEA V.League is a regional women’s volleyball competition in Southeast Asia, established in 2019 to elevate the sport’s profile and competitiveness among member nations. It was created through collaboration between the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, featuring top teams like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The league builds on the region’s strong volleyball tradition, aiming to provide consistent high-level play and development opportunities beyond major events like the SEA Games.

Southeast Asian Championship

The Southeast Asian Championship, commonly known as the AFF Suzuki Cup, is a biennial international football competition contested by the national teams of Southeast Asia. First held in 1996, the tournament was organized by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) to promote regional football unity and competition. Thailand holds the record for the most titles, reflecting the sport’s deep popularity across the region.

Pantip

Pantip is a famous technology and electronics shopping center in Bangkok, Thailand, known for its vast selection of computers, gadgets, and software. Originally established in the 1980s, it became a hub for IT enthusiasts and businesses, though its focus has shifted over time from hardware to more diverse tech services. Today, it remains a popular destination for affordable electronics and IT solutions in the city.