FIVB confirms roadmap for Russia’s return to International Volleyball

The FIVB has officially unveiled the next phase of its roadmap for the return of Russian athletes and technical officials to international volleyball, following weeks of consultations with national federations, event organizers, and other key stakeholders.

Building on the statement released on July 8, 2026, the world governing body confirmed that both the Russian men’s and women’s national teams will compete in the 2027 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). Their inclusion comes as the highest-ranked national teams not yet qualified under the existing qualification system.

To accommodate Russia’s return without penalizing teams that had already earned their place on sporting merit, the FIVB announced that the 2027 VNL will be expanded from 18 to 19 teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions. The one-time expansion ensures that the Finland men’s national team and the Slovenia women’s national team—both of which secured qualification through their recent performances—will retain their places in next year’s tournament.

The governing body added that it is currently reviewing the competition format required for the expanded field, with further details expected to be announced in the coming months.

As previously indicated, the return of Russian athletes will also be accompanied by a comprehensive anti-doping programme developed in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The testing plan will be implemented by the International Testing Agency (ITA), with additional information to be released once the programme is finalized.

The FIVB also revealed that the Russian Volleyball Federation has formally informed the organization of its decision to voluntarily withdraw from the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup, meaning the men’s national team will not take part in that tournament despite the broader roadmap for its return to international competition.

Discussions are still ongoing regarding the potential participation of the Russian women’s national team in the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup. According to the FIVB, consultations continue with the Local Organising Committee, Volleyball Canada, USA Volleyball, and other relevant stakeholders before a final decision is made.

The announcement marks one of the most significant developments in international volleyball since Russian teams were suspended from FIVB competitions in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. While their return to the VNL has now been confirmed, several aspects of their reintegration into the international calendar—including participation in other major FIVB events—remain under evaluation.

The FIVB stated that further updates will be communicated through its official channels as the implementation process continues.

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