Exciting Future in Build Up to Tokyo 2020

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, February 8, 2019 – The FIVB Sports Events Council met this week to discuss the volleyball calendar in the run up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 

In the qualification tournaments toward Tokyo 2020, USA, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico will field teams in both genders while Dominican Republic will be represented in the women’s tournament and Cuba in the men’s event.

After the announcement of the host nations for Olympic volleyball qualification events last month, the Council discussed the latest plans for each event. In total, twelve Olympic volleyball qualification events will take place in August 2019, with the winners of each intercontinental pool group joining hosts Japan. The Olympic qualification will continue in January 2020 when five Continental Confederation events will determine the remaining places.

Members of the Council were joined by presidents of the Continental Confederations as they looked at a number of key events scheduled to take place in the next 18 months, including the 2019 Volleyball Nations League and the 2019 FIVB Volleyball World Cup.

The 2019 VNL will introduce a new challenge request, determining whether there has been four touches in one sequence. The FIVB also introduces Challenge Referees at every pool event. Each referee will attend an FIVB-led webinar to ensure the high standards of officiating are maintained. 

Another key item on the agenda was the current World Ranking system and possible amendments, as well as the importance of streamlining the FIVB Calendar to ensure athletes feel supported and empowered to perform at their best.

he delegation also looked ahead to the 2022 FIVB Volleyball World Championships, where Russia will host the men’s event while the Netherlands and Poland will jointly hold the women’s edition. The Council finalised plans for the qualification process and the competition format, due to be announced later this year following approval from the FIVB Board of Administration.

The FIVB continues its Commission meetings on 11 February 2019, when the Beach Volleyball Commission meet in Lausanne.