Four Teams Chase Olympic Berth to Los Angeles 2028

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, August 27, 2026.- Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will compete for a ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at the NORCECA Women’s Continental Olympic Qualification Tournament, to be held August 28-29 at the “Prof. Ricardo Gioriver Arias” Volleyball Palace in Santo Domingo.

The four teams earned their places in the Olympic Qualifier based on their final positions at the 2026 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, excluding the United States, which is already qualified for LA 2028 as the host country.

The competition will feature two semifinals on Friday, August 28. Canada will face Puerto Rico at 5:00 p.m., followed by Cuba against host Dominican Republic at 8:00 p.m., both local time.

The winners will advance to Saturday’s final at 7:00 p.m., where the NORCECA berth to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will be decided. The semifinal losers will meet in the third-place match at 4:00 p.m.

Canada enters the Olympic Qualifier after making history by winning its first NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship title. The Canadians defeated the United States 3-2 (25-23, 25-23, 20-25, 18-25, 15-10) in Wednesday’s gold medal match.

Cuba finished third in the Continental Championship after defeating Dominican Republic 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-18) in the bronze medal match, marking Cuba’s return to the NORCECA podium for the first time in 15 years.

Puerto Rico secured the final place in the Olympic Qualifier after finishing fifth in the Continental Championship. The Puerto Ricans came from behind to defeat Mexico 3-2 (25-16, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-11), led by a 34-point performance from Decelise Champion.

That victory also secured Puerto Rico a berth at the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Cup, joining Dominican Republic and Cuba as the three teams that earned NORCECA’s available spots. Canada and the United States are already qualified for the 2027 World Cup as co-hosts.

The NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament represents the first opportunity for the region to secure a women’s volleyball berth at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Schedule

August 28 – Semifinals

5:00 p.m. – Canada vs. Puerto Rico
8:00 p.m. – Cuba vs. Dominican Republic

August 29

4:00 p.m. – Third-Place Match
7:00 p.m. – Final – Winner qualifies for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games