JAKARTA - The draw for the group stage for the indoor volleyball sport at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, was officially released. The Indonesian women's and men's volleyball squads will face a huge test at the multi-branch sports party.
The 2026 Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4, 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. Indonesia will also send volleyball athletes from the women's and men's sectors for the four-year grand party.
The draw results (drawing) placed the Indonesian men's squad in Pool B and the women's team in Pool A. In the men's sector, Indonesia is in the same group as the Asian giant and defending champion Iran, Thailand as a rival in Southeast Asia, and Kyrgyzstan.
Meanwhile, the other group map brings together the hosts Japan, Pakistan, Kazakstan, and Uzbekistan in Pool A. Then, Qatar, India, Vietnam, and Hong Kong in Pool C. Finally, South Korea, China, China Taipei, and the Philippines in Pool D.
In the 2022 Asian Games edition in Hangzhou, the Indonesian men's team carved a pretty impressive record. At that time, Farhan Halim and his friends successfully advanced from the group stage with the status as runner-up Pool F before finally finishing in eighth place overall.
The men's team's chances of qualifying for the next round are very open. The runner-up status can still be obtained because it is quite impossible to win against Iran given their status as one of the world's volleyball powers.
To be able to become runners-up, the key to Indonesia lies in the crucial match against Thailand and Kyrgyzstan. Both of these forces on paper should be a match that goes fairly evenly.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian women's team is in Pool A with the hosts Japan and Nepal. The other competition map places China, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines in Pool B. Then, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia in Pool C. Finally, Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Qatar are in Pool D.
The 2026 Asian Games is a momentum for the women's team to return to the highest stage in Asia. The reason is, at the 2022 Asian Games edition, the All Indonesia Volleyball Association (PBVSI) decided not to send a women's team.
Thus, this year's participation is a proving ground after the last time the women's team appeared when hosting the 2018 Asian Games. At that time, the Srikandi Squad completed their journey by finishing in seventh place.
The women's team's chances of qualifying from the group stage are very large, but they cannot underestimate Nepal's strength. Japan is predicted to dominate and lock in the group champion status and the second position can be taken by Indonesia if they can overcome Nepal.
On paper, the quality and level of the Red-White Team's game is quite far above Nepal. An absolute victory over Nepal will be the automatic key for the women's team to advance to the next round.
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