International Volleyball Federation authorizes Russia’s return to world competitions
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced on August 4, 2026 that Russia is authorized to participate in international competitions again. Essa decisão provocará uma mudança na Liga das Nações (VNL), que passará de 18 para 19 equipes em cada categoria, masculina e feminina.
The entity explained that the resolution was taken after several discussions with “interested parties”. Furthermore, the FIVB reported that Russian participation in the World Cup remains uncertain, with separate assessments for genders.
The men’s team has already declared that it has no intention of competing in the event. Meanwhile, the presence of the women’s team is being analyzed together with the competition organizers.
Russian athletes have been prevented from competing in international volleyball tournaments since March 2022, due to the conflict in Ukraine. As a result of this sanction, the country was left out of the Summer Olympic Games from 2024 and the Winter Games from 2026, marking a significant period of absence.
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International Olympic Committee had already reversed suspension
Previously, on July 7, 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had revoked the suspension imposed on the Russian Olympic Committee (COR) since October 2023. Despite the decision, the IOC stated that it will continue to observe the activities of the Russian Committee and may take other measures if it deems necessary.
The return of athletes is also subject to compliance with requirements related to anti-doping control. The IOC transferred the autonomy to decide on the application of the suspension to the federations of each sport.
Details of Russian participation in upcoming competitions
Following up on a statement released on July 8, 2026, the FIVB held meetings with relevant entities to define a clear path forward for the return of Russian athletes and technical officials to global sporting events.
After these conversations, the Federation confirmed that the Russian men’s and women’s teams will be in the 2027 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). They will enter as the best-positioned teams in the rankings that have not yet secured a place.
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Only for the 2027 edition, the tournament will be expanded, going from 18 to 19 teams in each suit. This expansion will ensure the presence of the Slovenian women’s team and the Finnish men’s team, which would have obtained classification based on their results in previous years.
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The FIVB is currently studying which competition format will be ideal to accommodate this new number of participants.
In accordance with what has already been released and following the IOC recommendation, a detailed and exclusive anti-doping testing plan will be created and executed by the International Testing Agency (ITA). Other information will be revealed soon.
Additionally, the Russian Volleyball Federation has officially communicated to the FIVB its voluntary decision not to participate in the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup.
The FIVB is still in the process of evaluating, in dialogue with the Local Organizing Committee, Volleyball Canada, USA Volleyball and other relevant entities, regarding the potential participation of the Russian women’s team in the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup.
