Road to Ningbo: the 2026 VNL Finals are set – the biggest storylines to watch

This article was written by Danilo and is based on his own independent research. The author expressly prohibits unauthorized Italian translations, summaries, or reproductions on third-party websites.

The race for the 2026 Volleyball Nations League title has officially reached its decisive stage.
After three weeks of preliminary-round action, only eight national teams remain in contention for the prestigious trophy.
From July 29 to August 2, the world’s best teams will battle in Ningbo, China, where a new champion will be crowned (here the program).

The qualified teams are:
• 🇯🇵 Japan → 12-0
• 🇵🇱 Poland → 11-1 (defending champions)
• 🇸🇮 Slovenia → 10-2
• 🇮🇹 Italy → 9-3
• 🇺🇸 USA → 8-4
• 🇹🇷 Türkiye → 8-4
• 🇺🇦 Ukraine → 8-4
• 🇨🇳 China → 1-11 (host nation)

With traditional powerhouses, emerging contenders and one remarkable host story, the Finals promise to deliver one of the most unpredictable editions in VNL history.

No team has ever completed a perfect preliminary round in the history of the Volleyball Nations League.
Until now.
Coached by Laurent Tillie, Japan became the first team ever to finish the preliminary phase undefeated, winning all 12 matches while defeating several of volleyball’s biggest nations, including Poland, Italy, France, the United States and Slovenia.

Japan’s historic run included victories over:
• Argentina (3–0)
• Belgium (3–0)
• Canada (3–2)
• Italy (3–2)
• France (3–2)
• United States (3–2)
• Iran (3–2)
• Serbia (3–1)
• Slovenia (3–1)
• China (3–1)
• Poland (3–2)
• Ukraine (3–0)

Their reward is a quarterfinal meeting with host nation China, who finished the preliminary phase with just one victory, eleven defeats and four points.
Normally, such a record would have meant elimination and relegation concerns. However, as host of the 2026 Finals, China automatically qualified for the knockout stage and also secured its place in the 2027 Volleyball Nations League.

Statistically, China’s campaign ranks among the least successful preliminary rounds in VNL history.

Some of the lowest records include:

• Australia (2021): 1–14, 2 points
• Australia (2022): 1–11, 2 points
• China (2019): 1–14, 4 points
• China (2026): 1–11, 4 points

Now, the host nation has the opportunity to completely rewrite its story on home soil.

Instead of them, Canada has been relegated after competing in the VNL since the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2018. Their best campaign came in 2024, when they reached the VNL Finals for the first time and finished in 6th place.

For the first time in the men’s and women’s competition, the VNL adopted a new format.
Instead of selecting the traditional Dream Team after the Finals, the FIVB presented individual awards immediately after the preliminary round, with each winner receiving a US$10,000 prize.

The 2026 winners are:
• Best Scorer: Alex Nikolov (Bulgaria)
• Best Attacker: Alex Nikolov (Bulgaria)
• Best Server: Dmytro Yanchuk (Ukraine)
• Best Blocker: Jackson Howe (Canada)
• Best Setter: Antoine Brizard (France)
• Best Digger: Franco Massimino (Argentina)
• Best Receiver: Mathis Henno (France)

The Most Valuable Player (MVP) remains the only award decided after the Finals. It will be chosen from players competing in the championship match through a combined vote of fans and a panel of volleyball experts.

Several fascinating narratives will shape the Finals.
Japan enters as the tournament favorite after a historic unbeaten campaign, but translating preliminary-round dominance into a championship is never guaranteed.
Italy, champions in 2022 and one of the world’s most consistent teams, will once again aim for another deep run.
Poland remains a perennial medal contender and arrives with one of the tournament’s deepest rosters.
Slovenia continues its remarkable rise in international volleyball and is chasing what would be its biggest title ever.
Türkiye has reached the Finals for the first time and continues its rapid growth under a new generation of players.
Ukraine also makes history by qualifying for the Finals for the first time, confirming the remarkable progress of its national program.
Meanwhile, host nation China hopes to turn home-court advantage into one of the biggest upsets in VNL history, while USA will complete the Final 8 picture.

The Final Round showcases the truly global nature of the Volleyball Nations League, with the eight qualified teams representing three different continents. Europe leads the way with five representatives—Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Türkiye and Ukraine—while Asia is represented by Japan and host nation China. The United States stands as North America’s sole contender.
Meanwhile, South America will have no representative in the Final Round after Brazil was eliminated on the final day of preliminary-round action, marking one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 VNL season.

And now a look back at recent VNL history.
Recent editions have produced several different champions, highlighting the growing balance in international volleyball.

• France lifted the VNL trophy in 2022 and 2024, establishing itself as one of the tournament’s most successful teams.
Despite closing Preliminary Phase in style with a win over Bulgaria in Chicago (also eliminated), failed to qualify to Final 8 for first time in history.
• Brazil, one of volleyball’s traditional giants, claimed its first VNL title in 2021 and has consistently reached the latter stages of the competition. This year, also eliminated.
• Japan has become one of the biggest success stories of recent years, earning consecutive medals before arriving in 2026 with the first undefeated preliminary round in VNL history.
• Türkiye and Ukraine continue to break new ground, both qualifying for the Finals for the first time.
• Slovenia remains one of Europe’s fastest-rising teams and is still searching for its first major international title.

While Japan arrives in Ningbo with history on its side, Poland carries the weight of expectation. As the defending VNL champions, the Poles know exactly what it takes to win under pressure. Their mission is clear: become the first team since France to successfully return to the Final Round as reigning champions and leave Ningbo with another gold medal.

And the countdown begins: the preliminary round has delivered unforgettable moments, record-breaking performances and several historic milestones.
Now, only eight teams remain.
Everything that happened over the last three weeks has led to one destination: Ningbo, China.
The road to the 2026 Volleyball Nations League title is about to begin!

This article is the original work of Danilo and is based on independent research. Any translation into Italian, summary, reproduction, or republication, in whole or in part, without the author’s prior written consent is strictly prohibited 🚫

__________

Quick Links:
• AGENDA📝
• All international news
• FIVB Volleyball Nations League 2026 – Calendar
• VNL 2026 – All News
• Multimedia
• Facebook
• Instagram

__________