How the positions of national teams in the FIVB Men's World Ranking shifted during the Volleyball World Championship.
Bulgaria makes the biggest jump
Competing at the World Championship for the first time in 55 years, Bulgaria achieved the most significant ranking rise of all teams. Along with Tunisia and Portugal, they climbed six spots.
Starting at 15th, Bulgaria’s stunning run to the silver medal, with six wins in seven matches (including three against higher-ranked opponents), propelled them to 9th place and earned a +58.40 point increase, the biggest of the tournament.
Other notable climbers
Portugal: 29 → 23
Tunisia: 43 → 37
(both won two group-stage matches to reach the Round of 16)Czechia: up three spots to 18 after a surprising semifinal run
Turkey (14), Belgium (15), Philippines (80): up two spots each
USA (6), Slovenia (7), Argentina (9), Canada (11): up one spot each
The top four – Poland, Italy (World Champion), Brazil, France – held their positions.
Ukraine remains 17th
Ukraine exited in the group stage after losing to Italy and retained its 17th place:
6.17 points behind Iran
1.6 points ahead of Czechia
However, Ukraine slipped three places compared to the start, overtaken by Bulgaria, Turkey, and Belgium, losing 16.01 points overall.
Biggest drops
Algeria: down 7 (88 → 95) after three straight-set losses
Colombia, Libya: down 4
Egypt: down 4 (27) despite beating Iran in the opener
Germany, Iran: down 3 (11 and 16)
Japan, Cuba, Romania, China, Chile: down 2
Serbia, Finland, Netherlands, Qatar, Korea: down 1
Japan suffered the largest points loss (–36.31), followed by France (–25.38), Romania (–21.78), Egypt (–20.38), and others. Ukraine ranks ninth among teams with the biggest points losses (–16.01).
Top ranking point gains
Bulgaria +58.40
Turkey +41.36
Belgium +39.35
Czechia +36.61
Italy +17.00
Netherlands +14.16
Tunisia +13.84
Philippines +10.03
Finland +9.99
Portugal +9.71
(also: Argentina +6.80, USA +4.85, Serbia +3.67)
Olympic qualification implications
The world ranking is crucial for qualification to the 2028 Olympic Games. After the 2026 continental championships and the 2027 World Championship, three Olympic berths will go to the highest-ranked teams that have not yet qualified.
Next stop – 2026 Nations League
Ukraine’s next major challenge will be the 2026 Volleyball Nations League. In their debut season, they finished 10th and secured a spot in the elite division. Now they have another opportunity to make their mark on the global stage.
