RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s women’s volleyball team has a new opportunity at the 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games, where it will face host Japan and Nepal in the group stage.

The draw placed all three teams in Pool A. Japan is the strongest contender, having won the silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Antara reported.

Japan advanced to the final in that edition before losing to China 0–3 (15–25, 21–25, 21–25). The result means Japan must continue its wait to reclaim the Asian Games gold medal, last achieved in 1978 in Bangkok.

For Indonesia, the 2026 Asian Games mark the women’s team’s return to the competition after missing the 2022 Hangzhou edition.

Indonesia’s last appearance was at the 2018 Asian Games, which it hosted in Jakarta-Palembang. The Red and White squad finished seventh after defeating the Philippines 3–1 (25–17, 23–25, 25–19, 25–20) in the classification match for seventh and eighth place.

This achievement serves as a foundation for Indonesia to improve its performance at the 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games. Competing in Pool A also gives the team a chance to measure its strength against one of Asia’s elite squads.

The women’s volleyball competition at the 2026 Asian Games is scheduled to begin on September 16. A total of 14 teams will compete, divided into four pools.

Pool B features defending champion China alongside Kazakhstan and the Philippines. Thailand, Taiwan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia are grouped in Pool C.

Pool D consists of Vietnam, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Qatar. With this composition, competition for advancement to the next round is expected to be intense. ***