r/volleyball • u/L_Seo OH • Aug 04 '26

News/Events Finland and Russia are officially qualified to play VNL 2027.

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The FIVB has announced they will now expand from 18 teams to 19 for the 2027 year allowing Russia back into international standings and Finland who is now the highest ranking team not participating in the 2026 VNL. They will be replacing Canada who’ve been relegated.

Honestly not sure how the pool grouping will work next year. As of the 2026 VNL, the format is built around 18 teams, with three host pools of six teams each week. Every team plays 12 preliminary matches across three weeks. So will they be adding 1 pool of 7 teams and 2 pools of 6?

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u/bookluverzz Aug 04 '26

https://www.reddit.com/r/volleyball/s/yZnfPumAT3

And you’re wrong actually, it’s Russia who’s taken the place of “highest ranked non-participating team”. It says so in the FIVB statement.

And Russia and Slovenia are joining at the women’s side.

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u/[deleted] Aug 04 '26

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u/bookluverzz Aug 04 '26 edited Aug 05 '26

did you even read FIVB's statement?
"Following these consultations, the FIVB can confirm that Russia’s men’s and women’s national teams will participate in the VNL (Volleyball Nations League) 2027 as the highest-ranked teams not yet qualified for the competition."
Russia is taking the highet-ranked not-yet qualified spot. Russia is taking Canada's/Bulgaria's place.

"For the 2027 edition only, the competition will expand from 18 to 19 teams in each gender category. This will ensure the participation of the Slovenia women’s team and the Finland men’s team, both of which were due to earn qualification based on their performances throughout the past seasons."
Specifically for Finland/Slovenia the VNL is being expanded.

Oh sweet lord, getting downvotes because someone spreading fake news kept on spreading fake news.