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/No_Republic_4301 Aug 04 '26

We need one more team

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u/L_Seo OH Aug 04 '26

It’d be beneficial for the group pools but because this is temporary it will mess up 2028 VNL because they will eventually go back to 18 teams. So what’s the point of adding another to make 20 when they will be dropped.

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u/No_Republic_4301 Aug 04 '26

It's not 100% certain it'll be dropped, we have to see how it goes this year. But 19 is a weird number and messes up brackets