AVC Cup 2026 Group Draw: Vietnamese Women's Volleyball Faces Kazakhstan

The Vietnamese women's volleyball team has consecutively won the AVC Cup for three seasons, demonstrating their strength in the Asian arena.

Recently, the draw ceremony for the women's volleyball tournament AVC Cup 2026 was officially held. Here, the reigning champion Vietnam landed in a relatively "comfortable" group, specifically as follows:

• Group A: Philippines (reigning runner-up, host), South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Australia
• Group B: Vietnam (reigning champion), Kazakhstan, Iran, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Lebanon

The biggest opponent for coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt and his team will be Kazakhstan. However, after their peak period, the team's biggest star - Sana Anarkulova - has aged, and the Central Asian representative no longer maintains its former strength. In recent encounters, Vietnamese women's volleyball has always held the advantage.

Indonesia, with star player Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, is also a notable name in Group B, but like Kazakhstan, the "Archipelago" team is no longer as strong as before and is no longer a regional rival to Vietnam or Thailand.

The remaining three teams: Iran, Hong Kong, and Lebanon are all not at the same level as Trần Thị Thanh Thúy and her teammates.

The other group is even more competitive, featuring host Philippines, Chinese Taipei, and especially newcomer South Korea. Although this is South Korea's first participation in the AVC Cup after years of having a spot in the VNL, Kang So-hwi and her teammates are highly rated and are strong contenders for the championship this year.

The AVC Cup (formerly known as AVC Challenge Cup, AVC Nations Cup) is the tournament where Vietnamese women's volleyball has dominated in the last three seasons. Coach Nguyễn Tuấn Kiệt and his players aim for a fourth championship title, despite South Korea's participation.

This is also the first international tournament of the year for Vietnamese women's volleyball. The team will subsequently participate in the SEA V.League, the Asian Championship, and ASIAD 20 in Japan.

AVC Cup 2026 will take place from April 6 to April 14 in Candon, Philippines.