The Yellow Tigers have learned their opponents for the 2027 Women’s Volleyball World Championship. Belgium were drawn in Pool A alongside reigning world and Olympic champions Italy, Colombia and Puerto Rico. The Belgian women will play their pool matches in Omaha, USA. The tournament takes place from 20 August to 5 September 2027 in the United States and Canada.

Italy, ranked number one in the world, will provide a formidable challenge. Belgium, currently 16th in the FIVB World Ranking, will also face Colombia (FIVB 23) and Puerto Rico (FIVB 27). The top two teams in the pool will advance to the Round of 16.

For Nathalie Lemmens, the host city will already feel familiar. The Belgian middle blocker is playing in Omaha this season and will know the city well by the time she returns with the Yellow Tigers next summer.

Tigers to travel to Montréal if they advance

In the Round of 16, the qualifiers from Pool A will face teams from Pool H, which features China, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. If the Yellow Tigers qualify, they will travel from Omaha to Montréal, Canada, for their Round of 16 match. From the quarterfinals onwards, the competition moves to Anaheim, California, where the Honda Center will host the decisive stages.


The Round of 16 matches for teams advancing from Belgium’s pool will also take place in Omaha. If the Yellow Tigers qualify, they will therefore avoid travelling before their first knockout match. From the quarterfinals onwards, the competition moves to Anaheim, California, where the Honda Center will host the decisive stages.

Kris Vansnick: “Continuing to build our playing identity”

Kris Vansnick sees the draw as an exciting challenge for the Belgian team.

“We have been drawn in a particularly interesting pool, with Italy as an absolute world-class team and the reigning world and Olympic champions. Puerto Rico and Colombia are two challenging opponents with considerable physical and attacking qualities. This is a great opportunity for us to show the progress we are making as Yellow Tigers. In recent years, we have proved that we can compete against strong nations, and we want to keep building on that ambition.”

“The prospect of playing with the Belgian national team on American soil in Omaha is also something to look forward to, particularly with LA 2028 in mind. Our goal is obviously to reach the next round, but how we achieve that is just as important. We want to continue building our own playing identity, with a team that approaches every match with ambition, conviction and confidence.”

“In the next round, we cross over with Pool H, which includes China, the Netherlands and Sweden — more strong teams from the international game. Now that the draw is complete, we can finalise our preparations for next summer.”

Pauline Martin: “Building on the level we reached at the end of last summer”

Pauline Martin is also looking forward to the matchups and the opportunity to play in front of American fans.

“It’s an interesting pool. I can’t remember the last time we played Colombia or Puerto Rico. They play a different style of volleyball from what we usually encounter in the VNL, which makes those matches exciting. I’m also really looking forward to playing in the United States. There is so much enthusiasm for volleyball there.”

“We worked well last summer. I hope we can start the summer of 2027 with a clear Tigers identity and build on the level we reached at the end of last season. With the young talent in our squad, we have plenty of room to keep growing.”

“Our goal at the World Championship is definitely to qualify for the next round. With a world-class team like Italy in our pool, finishing first will be particularly difficult, but we want to secure that qualification. Now that we know our opponents, we can really start looking ahead to the tournament.”

Olympic places also at stake

Alongside the world title, places at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will also be on offer. The three highest-finishing teams that have not already qualified for the Games will secure an Olympic berth.

For the teams reaching the quarterfinals, the tournament will also offer a first taste of the Olympic venue. The Honda Center in Anaheim will host both the decisive stages of the World Championship and the Olympic volleyball tournament in 2028.