Ukraine and Russia could meet at Volleyball World Cup after Russia gets official green light
Photo: International federation reinstates Russia’s women’s national volleyball team (fivb.com)
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has officially confirmed the full field of 32 national teams that will compete at the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup, hosted by the US and Canada. Russia's national team is among the participants, according to the organization's official website.
How Russia qualified for the tournament
The International Volleyball Federation allocated the final 14 spots at the World Cup based on the world rankings among national teams that failed to qualify directly for the tournament. Using this route, Russia's national team has earned the right to compete at the global level for the first time since sanctions were introduced in 2022.
In August 2026, FIVB also confirmed Russia's return to the 2027 Volleyball Nations League.
Ukraine's national team is also among the participants. As a result, the women's teams of Ukraine and Russia will be part of the same major international tournament for the first time since Russian athletes returned to international competition.
The group-stage draw, which will divide the 32 teams into eight groups of four, is expected to take place by the end of 2026, meaning the Ukrainian and Russian teams could potentially face each other as early as the opening stage of the competition.
When and where will the 2027 World Cup take place?
The major volleyball tournament will run from August 20 to September 5, 2027, in the US and Canada. Group-stage matches will be held in Montreal, Omaha, Orlando and Quebec City, while the medal matches will take place in Anaheim.
For Ukraine's women's national team, this will be the third World Cup appearance in its history. At the previous tournament in 2025, Ukraine finished in 17th place.
In addition to competing for the trophy, teams at the North American tournament will compete for direct berths at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Three of the top teams that have not yet secured Olympic berths will qualify directly.
