Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Women’s Volleyball World Championship match.
The USA begin their World Championship campaign against debutants Slovenia. The gulf in class is obvious: the Americans sit inside the world’s top seven, while the Slovenians are making their first-ever appearance at this level. For the USA, it’s a chance to ease into the tournament; for Slovenia, an opportunity to announce themselves on the big stage.
USA (women)
The USA are always among the favourites in world volleyball. Their last World Championship was a disappointment, but the 2025 Nations League showed they remain highly competitive: seven wins, six defeats, and elimination in the play-offs at the hands of eventual champions Italy. Their system is built on a powerful serve and a strong block. In their last 10 matches, they’ve picked up seven wins and looked solid against top-level opposition. Key figures include setter Jordyn Poulter and middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu.
Slovenia (women)
This is Slovenia’s World Championship debut. Ranked only 25th in the world, they earned their place through development programmes and consistent results in Europe. In the 2025 European League, they finished fifth, showing they can compete at a mid-tier level. Their best European Championship finish was 16th, and overall their squad lags behind most of the teams at this tournament. Their main threats are opposite hitter Eva Pavlović Mori and outside hitter Saša Planinšec, though both lack experience against elite opposition.
USA (women) vs Slovenia (women) Prediction
The USA should control the match from start to finish. They have superiority in every department — serving, blocking, and transition speed. Slovenia may try to stay cautious and scrap for points through defence, but maintaining a high tempo will be beyond them. Expect a routine win for the Americans, with little chance of dropping a set.
