AVC 2026: India beat New Zealand but wait on Oman-Bahrain; Japan sweep Pool A

Fukuoka, Japan – India’s fate at the 2026 AVC Men’s Volleyball Asian Championship is still not sealed after their own victory. According to Volleyball World, India beat New Zealand 25-22, 25-18, 25-21 in the final round of pool play. It was India’s first win of the tournament, leaving them with a 1-2 record and third place in Pool B. Despite taking all three points from New Zealand, India’s quarterfinal ticket now depends on the Pool A match between Oman and Bahrain. If Oman win with three points, Oman will overtake India. If Bahrain beat Oman 3-0, the two sides will be separated by point ratio. In every other scenario, India advance to the last eight. Opposite and captain Jerome Vinith Charles led India with 19 points, including two kill blocks. Outside hitter Chirag Yadav added 14 points with three aces and one block. Amit Balwan Singh contributed 13 points and two blocks. India’s starting outside hitters delivered when it mattered. For New Zealand, opposite Seth Dylan Grant finished with 15 points. Outside hitters John McManaway and Mana Placid scored 13 and 12 points respectively, but New Zealand could not avoid defeat. The loss ended New Zealand’s quarterfinal hopes completely. In the night’s marquee match at Kitakyushu City Gymnasium, Japan dismissed Australia 25-20, 25-13, 25-21 in front of about 6,500 home fans. Japan finished Pool A with a perfect 3-0 record, while Australia finished second at 2-1. Both teams had already secured quarterfinal spots before the match. Opposite Yuji Nishida led Japan with 16 points and an 82 percent attack success rate. Outside hitter Ran Takahashi added 13 points with five serving aces and a 70 percent kill rate. The home crowd created an electric atmosphere. William D’Arcy-Miles led Australia with 13 points, while Lorenzo Pope added 11. Korea swept Qatar 25-20, 25-19, 25-15 in Pool C. Qatar’s opposite Mubarak Musa Thiik Madut scored a match-high 17 points, while Korea’s outside hitter Jaeyoung Lim led his team with 15. The 2026 AVC Men’s Championship also serves as an Olympic qualifier for Los Angeles 2028 and as a pathway to the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup. With the pool stage almost complete, the quarterfinal picture is nearly set, but India still have to wait.