The FIVB can confirm that the Guatemala and Dominican Republic boys' national under 19 volleyball teams have withdrawn from the 2021 FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship due to exceptional circumstances.

These exceptional circumstances include five players of the Dominican Republic team needing to comply with quarantine rules in their country following a close contact with a positive COVID-19 case. Concerning the national team of Guatemala, eight of their 12 players tested positive for COVID-19 before traveling to Iran.

In view of the mandatory quarantine period in place as per the guidance of the Dominican Republic authorities and the fact that it would not have been possible for the Dominican Republic to replace these five players at such short notice, the team decided to withdraw from the competition. In addition, it will not be possible to replace the Dominican Republic team with another national team as the competition is scheduled to start on August 24. The National Federation of Guatemala has also withdrawn its team from the competition.

The specific competition regulations establish that, in the case that a team is unable to produce a minimum of six players, a match is automatically forfeited. This policy will therefore be applied for all Guatemala and the Dominican Republic's team’s matches, and the teams will be ranked in last place in the Final Standings.

The FIVB remains in close contact with the event organiser and local health authorities. Rigorous health and safety measures at the event are in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participants, which is the FIVB’s number one priority.

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FIVB Volleyball Boys' U19 World Championship
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