AVC 2026: Japan and Iran remain perfect without dropping a set, Chinese Taipei claim first win

Fukuoka – The pool stage of the 2026 Asian Men's Volleyball Championship (AVC 2026) in Fukuoka, Japan, has concluded with Japan and Iran staying perfect, both without dropping a single set. Chinese Taipei earned their first win by beating Qatar, while India still wait on the result of Oman versus Bahrain to determine their quarterfinal fate. AVC 2026 serves as a key qualifier for the 2028 Olympics and the 2027 World Cup, adding extra weight to every match. Japan impressed through strong attacking output, with Yuji Nishida scoring 16 points on 82% spike success against Australia. Ran Takahashi added 13 points, hit 70%, and recorded five aces in the match against Bahrain. Iran relied on opposite hitter Poriya Khanzadeh, who scored 20 points, while their two outside hitters contributed 11 points each. Chinese Taipei captain Chang Yu-Sheng made six blocks in the win over Qatar, giving his team a solid defensive anchor. India captain Vinith Charles scored 19 points against Australia, but the team's quarterfinal hopes remain dependent on the Oman-Bahrain result. The numbers from the pool stage highlight individual brilliance, yet tactical depth remains unproven. A stronger test will come in the knockout stage, where superior blocking and defense will force Japan and Iran to show more than one-on-one power. Chinese Taipei can build on their confidence, but India faces a nervous wait. The road to Olympic and World Cup qualification is only beginning, and the real competition starts now.