2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup Qualification: 18 Teams Secure Berths, 14 Spots Remain

The first phase of the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup qualification has concluded after all five continental championships finished. As of now, 18 of the 32 participating teams have been determined, including defending world champion Italy, co-hosts Canada and USA, and 15 teams that qualified through continental pathways. The 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup will be held in Canada and the United States, featuring 32 national teams. This is the first time the tournament will be expanded to 32 teams, up from 12 in previous editions. The qualification process is divided among five continental confederations: Asia (AVC), Africa (CAVB), Europe (CEV), South America (CSV), and North, Central America and Caribbean (NORCECA). Each confederation has three spots, except for Italy, Canada, and the USA, who have already secured their places. Italy qualified as the 2026 World Champion, while Canada and the USA are co-hosts. The first phase of qualification officially ended after all five continental championships concluded. Specifically, the NORCECA Championship took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; the Asian Championship in Tianjin, China; the African Championship in Nairobi, Kenya; the European Championship in Istanbul, Turkey; and the South American Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. NORCECA Region At the NORCECA Championship in Santo Domingo, Cuba and the Dominican Republic were the first teams to secure their tickets to the 2027 World Cup after reaching the semifinals alongside hosts Canada and the USA (already qualified). Ultimately, Cuba finished third and the Dominican Republic fourth. Puerto Rico, finishing fifth, claimed the remaining regional spot. Thus, the three NORCECA representatives are Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. This is an encouraging achievement for women's volleyball in the North, Central America and Caribbean region, as they will have the opportunity to compete against top teams. Asian Region (AVC) At the Asian Championship in Tianjin, China, Thailand and China secured early qualification by reaching the final. Thailand then defeated hosts China to win the continental title, while China took silver. Japan, winner of the bronze medal match, also qualified for the 2027 World Cup. The three Asian teams competing in Canada and the USA are Thailand, China, and Japan. These are teams with rich traditions and will be strong contenders for the title. African Region (CAVB) At the African Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, Egypt and Kenya were the first to qualify by reaching the final. Egypt went on to win the championship, while Kenya finished as runners-up. Cameroon, the bronze medalist, claimed Africa's third ticket. Thus, Egypt, Kenya, and Cameroon will represent the continent at the 2027 World Cup. This is an opportunity for African teams to assert their position and learn from strong opponents. European Region (CEV) At the European Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, the three qualifying teams were Serbia, Poland, and Turkey. They reached the semifinals along with defending world champion Italy. Since Italy already had a spot as 2026 World Champion, the other three semifinalists – Serbia, Poland, and Turkey – automatically qualified. Turkey, Italy, and Serbia finished first, second, and third on the EuroVolley 2026 podium. This region has the strongest tradition in women's volleyball, and these three teams promise to deliver top-level performances. South American Region (CSV) At the South American Championship in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the three qualifying teams were Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. After the penultimate competition day, these three teams had already secured their spots. They finished as gold, silver, and bronze medalists, respectively. Thus, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia will represent South America at the 2027 World Cup. Brazil is the region's most successful team and always a contender for the title. Summary of Qualified Teams To date, the 18 teams that have qualified for the 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup include: Italy (defending World Champion), Canada and USA (hosts), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico (NORCECA), Thailand, China, Japan (AVC), Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon (CAVB), Serbia, Poland, Turkey (CEV), Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia (CSV). These are the best teams from each continent, and they will be in Canada and the USA in 2027 to compete. Remaining 14 Spots The remaining 14 spots will be determined in the next phase of the qualification process. FIVB has not yet announced the specific format for these spots, but they are likely to be based on world rankings or additional qualifying tournaments. Teams without a ticket will continue to compete fiercely for the right to participate in the world's biggest volleyball event in 2027. With 14 spots remaining, opportunities are still wide open for many other teams, and there will surely be interesting surprises. History and Format Previously, the FIVB World Cup featured 12 teams and was held every four years, usually the year before the Olympics. However, starting in 2027, the tournament will be expanded to 32 teams, similar to the FIFA World Cup. This aims to increase participation opportunities for teams from different continents, while enhancing commercial value and fan interest. The competition format is expected to include a group stage and knockout stage, with a total of 64 matches. Continental Championship Details The 2026 NORCECA Championship featured 8 teams. Cuba and the Dominican Republic showed impressive form, overcoming strong opponents to secure their spots. Puerto Rico also performed well to claim the final ticket. This is the second consecutive World Cup appearance for Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The 2026 Asian Championship in Tianjin brought together 12 teams. Thailand caused an upset by defeating China in the final, winning their third Asian title. Japan, with a young squad, also qualified. China, despite the loss, remains one of the world's strongest teams. The 2026 African Championship had 10 teams. Egypt demonstrated their strength with a perfect record. Kenya, with home advantage, also qualified. Cameroon is a notable team that has been steadily improving in recent years. The 2026 European Championship was the most competitive, featuring 24 teams. Turkey won the title after defeating Italy in the final. Serbia and Poland also showed consistent form. This region is predicted to dominate the 2027 World Cup. The 2026 South American Championship had 8 teams. Brazil continued to assert their dominance by winning the title. Argentina and Colombia are rising teams and promise to challenge their opponents. Notable Teams Among the 18 qualified teams, Italy, Brazil, Serbia, the USA, and China are considered top contenders for the championship. Italy are the defending world champions with a balanced squad. Brazil is always a powerhouse with an attacking style. Serbia, with stars like Tijana Boskovic, remains a formidable force. The USA, with home advantage, will be determined to go far. China and Japan represent Asia with technical and agile play. Outlook The 2027 Women's Volleyball World Cup promises to be an exciting tournament with the best teams in the world. The expansion to 32 teams not only gives smaller teams a chance but also helps grow women's volleyball globally. Fans can look forward to thrilling matches and top performances from the world's biggest stars. The remaining 14 spots will be decided in the coming months, and more quality teams are sure to join.