Qualified Teams confirmed for the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup

The 32 national teams that will compete at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup in the United States and Canada were confirmed following the conclusion of the qualification period for the event.

Three national teams earned automatic berths for the 2027 World Cup and were not involved in the qualification process for the event – the United States and Canada, as host countries, and Italy, as the winners of the last edition, held in 2025.

The following 15 spots were awarded between August and September, three in each of the five continental tournaments held in the period – Egypt, Kenya, and Cameroon qualified in Africa, Thailand, China and Japan succeeded in Asia, Türkiye, Serbia and Poland emerged from Europe, Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico earned the spots in play in the North, Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA) region and Brazil, Argentina and Colombia claimed the berths out of South America.

The remaining 14 spots were given to the best-placed national teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified as of October 2. Listed in ranking order, the Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Czechia, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Mexico, Ukraine, Greece, Korea, Bulgaria and Switzerland qualified through this pathway.

From all 32 participants, Switzerland are the only country set to appear in the World Cup for the first time in history. Currently in 30^th place in the FIVB World Rankings, they took the last spot available for the tournament and will compete among the world’s best for the first time.

Set to take place from August 20 to September 5, the 2027 edition of the World Cup will carry increased weight as it will serve as one of the last qualification pathways for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics – the three best-ranked national teams not yet qualified will secure spots in the next edition of the Games.

It is the second time in history the tournament will be played by 32 national teams. They will be split into eight groups of four for the pool play phase, with the two best-ranked sides in each pool advancing to the elimination rounds, which will feature the Round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, the bronze medal match and the final.

Five host cities will showcase the event: in the United States, Anaheim, Omaha and Orlando; and in Canada, Montreal and Quebec City.

Pool play will take place in Montreal (Bell Centre), Omaha (CHI Health Center Arena), Orlando (Kia Center) and Quebec City (Videotron Centre), while the finals will be held in Anaheim (Honda Center), the venue that will also host the LA28 Olympic Games volleyball competition. The Drawing of Lots will take place before the end of this year and will be announced in due course.

National Teams Qualified for the 2027 Women’s World Cup

Host Countries: Canada, USA

Defending Champions: Italy

Continental Qualifiers:  Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon (Africa), Thailand, China, Japan (Asia), Türkiye, Serbia, Poland (Europe), Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico (NORCECA), Brazil, Argentina, Colombia (South America)

FIVB World Rankings: The Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Czechia, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Mexico, Ukraine, Greece, Korea, Bulgaria, Switzerland