Pool B was one of eight pools of the preliminary round of the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship. The pool consisted of the current Olympic champion, Italy, as well as Belgium, Cuba, and Slovakia. Teams were played one another in a round-robin, where the top two teams advanced to the final round.
It took place from 22 to 26 August 2025, with rest days on 23 and 25 August. Each matchday features two games, held at 17:00 and 20:30. As the seeded team, Italy played at 20:30 in the first match against Slovakia, while their two remaining matches against Cuba and Belgium were played at 17:00 due to a broadcast time conflict with the Thailand vs. Sweden and the Thailand vs. Netherlands match in Pool A.
Teams The following four teams competed in Pool B for the tournament, listed by their position in the pool. PositionCountryConfederationQualified asQualified onPrevious appearancesPrevious best performanceTotalFirstLastB1a CEV 2023 European 4th placers 30 August 20231219782022 (2002)B2 CEV 3rd World ranked non-qualified team 30 August 2024419562022 (2022)B3 NORCECA 9th World ranked non-qualified team 30 August 20241319702018 (1978, 1994, 1998)B4 CEV 13th World ranked non-qualified team 30 August 20240NoneNone
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World Rankings The following four teams were ranked in the FIVB World Rankings at the draw, the beginning and the final day of the tournament. PositionCountryFIVB World RankingsDrawαBeforeβAfterγB11 (437.03)1 (474.26)1 (484.15)B214 (190.98)14 (195.20)14 (211.23)B323 (145.17)28 (140.06)27 (139.85)B426 (137.47)29 (128.54)33 (112.34)
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Standings The following four teams were ranked based on the pool standing procedure.
Matches All times are Thailand Standard Time (UTC+07:00).
The following six matches of Pool B were played at the Phuket Municipal Stadium, Phuket.
Belgium vs Cuba The teams recently faced each other in the 2014 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship, where Belgium won 3–0. This was the second game between Belgium and Cuba in the World Championship.
Italy vs Slovakia The teams recently faced each other in the 2021 Women's European Volleyball Championship, where Italy won 3–1. This was the first game between Italy and Slovakia in the World Championship, marking Slovakia's debut in the tournament.
Italy vs Cuba The teams recently faced each other in the 2018 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship, where Italy won 3–0. This was the sixth game between Italy and Cuba in the World Championship. Cuba has won three of the previous meetings in 1998, 2002, and 2010, while Italy has won two in 2006 and 2018.
Belgium vs Slovakia The teams recently faced each other in an official match during the European qualification of the 2012 Summer Olympics, where Belgium won 3–0. They also played a friendly match in 2023, with Belgium winning 3–1. This was the first game between Belgium and Slovakia in the World Championship.
Italy vs Belgium The teams recently faced each other in the 2025 FIVB Women's Volleyball Nations League, where Italy won 3–0. This was the fourth game between Italy and Belgium in the World Championship. Italy has won all three of the previous meeting in 1978, 2014, and 2022.
Cuba vs Slovakia The teams have never met before. This was the first game between Cuba and Slovakia in any tournament, including the World Championship.
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