The field is set: 32 teams bound for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup in Poland

With the qualification period now closed, the line-up for the 2027 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Cup is complete. Thirty-one national teams will travel to Poland next September to join the hosts in the fight for the sport’s biggest prize, in a country where volleyball is part of the national sporting identity.

Leading the way are Italy, who arrive as two-time defending champions after lifting the trophy in 2022 and again in the Philippines in 2025. They are joined by hosts Poland, world champions in 1974, 2014 and 2018, who will be looking to turn home support into a fourth title. Both nations secured their places automatically.

Half of the remaining field came through the continental route, with the top three teams from each confederation championship booking their tickets. Japan, Iran and Korea will represent Asia, while Tunisia, Cameroon and Algeria carry the hopes of Africa. Europe sends France, Finland and Slovenia, South America is represented by Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and the United States, Canada and Cuba complete the contingent from the NORCECA region.

The final 15 places went to the highest-ranked teams in the FIVB World Ranking that had not already qualified as of October 16, 2026. In ranking order, they are Bulgaria, Germany, Ukraine, Belgium, Türkiye, Serbia, Czechia, Greece, Romania, Netherlands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Egypt, and Estonia.

Estonia will make their World Cup debut in Poland, while Denmark will return for a second time since their debut in 1966.

The stakes extend beyond the title itself. Running from September 10 to 26, the World Cup will be one of the final routes to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, with Olympic places on offer for the three best-ranked teams not yet qualified.

For only the second time, the competition will feature 32 teams. Pool play will see them divided into eight groups of four, with the top two in each advancing to a knockout bracket that runs from the Round of 16 through the quarterfinals and semifinals to the bronze medal match and the final.

Poland’s third turn as host, following 2014 and its co-hosting role with Slovenia in 2022, will take the tournament to five cities. Matches will be played at the ERGO ARENA in Gdańsk, the Spodek in Katowice, Atlas Arena in Łódź and Urania Hall in Olsztyn, before the semifinals and medal matches move to Kraków’s TAURON Arena. Details of the Drawing of Lots will be confirmed in due course.

2027 Men’s World Cup: Qualified Teams

Hosts: Poland

Defending Champions: Italy

Continental Qualifiers: Japan, Iran, Korea (Asia), Tunisia, Cameroon, Algeria (Africa), France, Finland, Slovenia (Europe), Brazil, Argentina, Chile (South America), USA, Canada, Cuba (NORCECA)

FIVB World Ranking: Bulgaria, Germany, Ukraine, Belgium, Türkiye, Serbia, Czechia, Greece, Romania, Netherlands, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia.