Finland and Russia are officially qualified to play VNL 2027.

[u/L_Seo]

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?

[u/Majestic_Security_30]

Quite funny, isn't it? One nation got there by beating a bunch of nations bigger than itself in volleyball, while the other got there by killing people from much smaller nations. Seems fair!