Brazil return to the top in South America and secure LA28 qualification!

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Brazil are heading back to the Olympic Games.

The three-time Olympic champions secured their place at Los Angeles 2028 on Sunday by defeating Argentina 3–0 (25:20, 25:23, 25:20) in front of as many as 11,968 spectators at the Maracanãzinho in Rio de Janeiro.
The victory completed a perfect South American Championship campaign for Bernardo “Bernardinho” Rezende’s team, who won all five of their matches without dropping a single set!

The result delivered two prizes at once: Brazil’s 34th South American title and the continent’s direct Olympic quota for LA28. It also restored Brazil to the top of the continental podium after Argentina interrupted their extraordinary dominance by winning the 2023 edition.
Brazil did not participate in the 1964 championship, but among the editions they have contested, Sunday’s triumph further underlined their remarkable record in South America.

The decisive encounter had all the ingredients expected from a Brazil–Argentina clash, but the hosts maintained control when it mattered most. Darlan de Souza was the main attacking reference throughout the match, finishing as the top scorer with 23 points, all in attack, while Captain Ricardo Lucarelli and middle blocker Flávio Gualberto added eight points each. Argentina were led by Luciano Vicentín, who finished with 11.

For Brazil, the Olympic qualification also means that their uninterrupted presence at the Games will continue.
The men’s tournament made its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 1964, and Brazil have appeared at every edition since then.
In Los Angeles, they will now have the opportunity to add to a collection that already includes three Olympic titles.

“Winning the title and securing the Olympic spot is a relief for us,” Darlan said. “Not many people believed in us right now, and we showed a lot of resilience and determination. All the hard work paid off. We never gave up, united as a team, and the trophy shows it. It’s great to play at home and see our families and friends in the stands.”

While Brazil celebrated the continental title and Olympic qualification, Argentina also secured their place at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship by finishing second.
Chile completed the podium and joined the two South American giants among the teams qualified for the World Cup after defeating Bolivia 3–0 (25:11, 25:15, 25:17) in their final match.
For Chile, the qualification represents only their third appearance in the history of the men’s World Championship.

The tournament’s individual honours reflected the performances of the leading teams.
Lucarelli was named Most Valuable Player, while Brazil also placed Fernando “Cachopa” Kreling, Darlan, Adriano Xavier and Flávio in the Dream Team.
Argentina were represented by middle blocker Agustín Loser and libero Franco Massimino, while Chile’s Noé Aravena completed the ideal lineup.

Brazil now become the fourth men’s national team officially qualified for Los Angeles 2028, joining hosts United States, Asian champions Japan and NORCECA qualifiers Cuba.
The remaining Olympic places will be determined through the upcoming African and European qualification tournaments, followed by the allocation of further berths through the 2027 World Championship and the FIVB World Rankings.

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