The Volleyball Nations League (VNL) showcased the strong teamwork and relentless grit of the competing finalists across men’s and women’s divisions, yet only one team from the men’s and women’s division stood above the rest.
Held in China, this year’s VNL finals crowned its two champions as Türkiye regained the women’s title and Poland prevailed in the men’s game.
Reclaiming Glory
Following their triumph in 2023, Türkiye reclaimed its throne after dominating Brazil 3-1, in the championship match with scores 23–25, 25–23, 26–24 and 25–21. This marked their second VNL title in history since their win in 2023.
Türkiye’s opposite Melissa Vargas led the charge in her team’s successful run to victory. She later earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and was also recognized as best scorer of the game after powering a massive 33 points. With Türkiye on top, Brazil claimed silver medal, while Italy placed third after defeating China in the bronze medal match.
Another VNL Crown
On the men’s side, Poland retained its title after emerging victorious against the United States in a grueling five-set match. They defeated the latter in a tightly contested battle 3-2, with 25-21, 23-25, 25-27, 25-23, and 15-10, which stretched another historic run since its championship in the previous year.
The victory also highlighted the recognition of Poland’s outside hitter Tomasz Fornal as MVP. Meanwhile, the United States settled for the silver medal, and Slovenia completed the podium with a bronze medal after placing third.
With the championships secured, both champions now added another milestone to their volleyball legacy, and the VNL 2026 tournament concluded with a great showcase of intense battles, statement performances and unwavering spirit of its elite international players.