The Balkan region will have a strong presence at the XXI FIVB Women’s World Cup 2027 (formerly the World Championship). Four member federations of the Balkan Volleyball Association (BVA) are among the 32 teams confirmed for the tournament, which runs from 20 August to 5 September 2027 in Canada and the USA.
Two through the continent, two through the ranking
Serbia and Türkiye qualified through this year’s European Championship and are part of Europe’s four-team continental contingent, along with Italy and Poland.
Greece and Bulgaria got their places through the FIVB World Ranking published on Friday, 18 September. Both earned a spot on the global stage on the strength of their results over the qualification period.
With four teams in the field, the BVA family makes up one eighth of the World Cup line-up. It’s further proof of how much Balkan women’s volleyball has grown.
The full field
Via continental championships:
- CEV: Serbia, Türkiye, Italy, Poland
- NORCECA: Canada, USA, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
- AVC: Thailand, China, Japan
- CAVB: Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon
- CSV: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia
Via the FIVB World Ranking: Netherlands, Russia, Germany, Czechia, Belgium, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Mexico, Ukraine, Greece, Korea, Bulgaria, Switzerland.
Venues and format
FIVB has confirmed three US venues: the CHI Health Center in Omaha (Nebraska), the Kia Center in Orlando (Florida) and the Honda Center in Anaheim (California). Omaha and Orlando will host the pool phase and the Round of 16. Anaheim will stage the quarterfinals, semifinals, the bronze medal match and the final.
The 32 teams will be split into eight pools of four, seeded by the FIVB World Ranking. After three pool matches, the top two teams from each pool go through to the Round of 16. From there it’s straight knockout: quarterfinals, semifinals and the medal matches. The world champion will play seven matches over 17 days of competition.