FIVB includes Russia in 32-team field for 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship

Qualification and ranking restoration

On 5 October 2026, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) announced the list of 32 national teams qualified for the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Championship. The Russian women's national team secured entry among 14 sides qualifying through the FIVB World Ranking, calculated as of 2 October 2026. Russian national teams and clubs had been barred from international competition since 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, with their ranking points frozen at 2023 levels. In the summer of 2026, following updated guidance from the International Olympic Committee, the FIVB unfroze those point totals, returning the Russian women's squad to 11th place globally. The decision to permit Russia followed consultations between the FIVB and member federations.

Russian state news agency TASS reported on the qualification through the national governing body.

Russian women rank 11th in the world ranking of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). Thanks to this high position, the Russian national team earned the right to participate in the tournament.

Tournament format and host venues

The 21st edition of the women's tournament will take place across the United States and Canada. Three spots were assigned automatically, divided between the two co-hosts and Italy as the winner of the 2025 tournament. Another 15 berths were allocated during August and September across five continental championships, which each awarded three places. European qualifying berths went to Turkey, Serbia, and Poland, with the Polish team securing qualification after taking fourth place at the European championship. The final 14 berths went to the highest-placed teams in the FIVB World Ranking that had not previously qualified.

Selected tournament host cities include Anaheim, Omaha, and Orlando in the United States, alongside Montreal and Quebec in Canada. Published tournament schedules place the competition from 31 August to 12 September 2027, though agency timetables also cited dates from 20 August to 5 September 2027. Neither United States nor Canadian authorities have issued statements confirming whether Russian players will receive entry visas to compete.

Divergence from the men's championship in Poland

The admission of the women's team differs from the outcome for the Russian men's national squad. The FIVB had also cleared the Russian men's team to participate in the 2027 Men's Volleyball World Championship, scheduled for 10 to 26 September 2027 in Poland. However, the Russian men's team withdrew from the competition. Representatives of the Russian volleyball community cited security concerns and potential provocations, while Polish authorities maintained a veto against admitting Russian athletes into the country.

The 2027 tournament will mark Russia's first appearance at a women's World Championship since 2021. If visas are approved by the host nations, tournament scheduling could match Russia against Poland, whose qualification via the European championship semi-finals creates the possibility of a group-stage or knockout encounter.