The FIVB Volleyball Empowerment-supported nations delivered their strongest collective showing at the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Adelaide, Australia, with 16 countries advancing directly to the Round of 32. The wide field of qualifiers shows the progress taking place inside national beach volleyball programmes that have benefited from long-term coaching support and more consistent training structures funded through FIVB Volleyball Empowerment.
Germany led all Empowerment nations with three men’s teams and four women’s pairs advancing. Their men’s qualifiers include Paul Henning & Lui Wust, Lukas Pfretzschner & Sven Winter and Nils Ehlers & Clemens Wickler. On the women’s side, Sandra Ittlinger & Anna Lena Grune, Linda Bock & Louisa Lippmann, Svenja Muller & Cinja Tillmann and Melanie Paul & Lea Sophie Kunst all secured places in the knockout phase. The size of the German contingent reflects the value of sustained support and investment.
Other national federations also advanced multiple teams. Norway progressed with Anders Mol & Christian Sorum and Hendrik Mol & Mathias Berntsen, while Switzerland moved through Marco Krattiger & Leo Dillier and Yves Haussener & Julian Friedli. France added two more pairs in Teo Rotar & Arnaud Gauthier Rat and Remi Bassereau & Calvin Aye. Sweden continued its rise through Jacob Holting Nilsson & Elmer Andersson and Olympic gold medallists David Ahman & Jonatan Hellvig, who advanced as one of the best third-placed finishers.
The remaining men’s qualifiers added further breadth. Stefan Boermans & Yorick de Groot of the Netherlands reached the Round of 32, as did Martins Plavins & Kristians Fokerots of Latvia. Qatar advanced Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan, while Argentina completed its strong pool campaign with Tomas & Nicolas Capogrosso. Australia added local representation through Mark Nicolaidis & Izac Carracher.
In the women’s competition, the Netherlands continued its steady rise with three teams. Emi van Driel & Wies Bekhuis, Katja Stam & Raisa Schoon and Mila Konink & Desy Poiesz all moved forward. Ukraine also progressed two pairs in Valentyna Davidova & Anhelina Khmil and Tetiana Lazarenko & Daria Romaniuk.
Czechia qualified with Marketa Svozilova & Marie Sara Stochlova, Latvia advanced Tina Graudina & Anastasija Samoilova and Japan reached the Round of 32 with Asami Shiba & Reika Murakami. Spain added Daniela Alvarez & Tania Moreno, Switzerland qualified through Anouk Verge Depre & Zoe Verge Depre, Puerto Rico advanced Maria Gonzalez Valentin & Allanis Navas Sanchez and New Zealand moved forward with Shaunna Polley & Olivia MacDonald.
Several other supported teams remain in contention through the Lucky Losers phase. Austria continue with Timo Hammarberg & Tim Berger and Christoph Dressler & Philipp Waller. Switzerland has Adrian Heidrich & Jonathan Jordan still in contention, while Norway maintains a further chance through Markus Mol & Adrian Mol. Canada progressed to the draw with Sam Schachter & Jonathan Pickett, England remains represented through Javier & Joaquin Bello and New Zealand continues with Brad Fuller & Ben O’Dea.
In the women’s Lucky Losers bracket, Australia holds three positions through Elizabeth Alchin & Georgia Johnson, Jasmine Fleming & Stefanie Fejes and Tara Phillips & Kayla Mears. France’s challenge carries on with Lezana Placette & Alexia Richard and Clemence Vieira & Aline Chamereau, while Czechia remains involved through Kylie Neuschaeferova & Karolina Maixnerova.
The overall tally of 32 Empowerment teams reaching the Round of 32, spread across 16 nations, reflects tangible progress within the programme. Many of these teams have come through national federations that have relied on consistent technical guidance, improved coaching systems and access to better daily training environments. Their advancement in Adelaide shows how these foundations are beginning to turn into meaningful results at world championship level.
