Thirteen Men's Teams Set to Pursue Olympic Berth in Vega Baja

VEGA BAJA, Puerto Rico, November 5, 2026. – Thirteen men's teams from across the region will compete for NORCECA's direct berth to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games when the NORCECA Continental Beach Volleyball Olympic Qualifier gets underway Friday at the Areia Sports Complex in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

The tournament, scheduled for November 6–8, will bring together teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean, with only one Olympic berth available in the men's competition.

Competition details were confirmed during Thursday's Preliminary Inquiry, where officials reviewed the tournament format and preparations for the three-day event.

The United States will be represented by Trevor Crabb and Chase Budinger, one of the tournament's most recognizable teams. U.S. men's beach volleyball head coach Matt Fuerbringer highlighted the importance of the event within the Olympic cycle, emphasizing continued player development and the team's preparation for international competition.

Host Puerto Rico will rely on Diego Rosich and William Rivera, who will compete in front of their home fans. Rosich said the duo arrives well prepared following months of work with the national coaching staff, while Rivera highlighted the chemistry they have developed throughout their preparation.

Rivera also emphasized the significance of competing in front of family, friends and local supporters, while Rosich expressed pride in representing Puerto Rico in such an important event.

Mexico's Carlos Andrés Ayala and Inés Vargas Lares also enter the tournament with high expectations. Both players highlighted their consistent participation in the NORCECA Tour and year-round preparation as key factors in their development, with their sights set on competing for the continental title.

The men's tournament features 13 teams divided into four pools, with Pools A, B and C consisting of three teams each and Pool D consisting of four teams.

Following pool play, the top three teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage. The four pool winners will qualify directly for the quarterfinals, while the second- and third-place teams will compete in the Round of 12 for the four remaining quarterfinal berths.

The Round of 12 winners will join the four pool winners in the quarterfinals, with the winners advancing to the semifinals.

The remaining teams will continue through the classification rounds to determine their final positions in the tournament.

Pool Distribution:

Pool A: Carlos Andrés/Lares (MEX), Mayer/Penberthy (ISV), Williams/Theodores (TTO).

Pool B: Schachter/Pickett (CAN), Maldonado/Izaguirre (GUA), Hamilton/Tucker (BER).

Pool C: Crabb/Budinger (USA), Araya/Grant (CRC), Hauze/Broaster (BLZ).

Pool D: Rosich/Rivera (PUR), Rafa/Gabo (ESA), Taylor/Ashby (BAR), Oxford/Phillip (GRN).

Men’ Teams:

Barbados (Taylor/Ashby), Belize (Hauze/Broaster), Bermuda (Hamilton/Tucker), Canada (Sam Schachter/Jonathan Pickett), Costa Rica (Araya/Grant), El Salvador (Rafa/Gabo), Grenada (Oxford/Phillip), Guatemala (Maldonado/Izaguirre), Mexico (Carlos Andrés Ayala/Inés Vargas Lares), Puerto Rico (Diego Rosich/William Rivera), Trinidad and Tobago (Williams/Theodores), U.S. Virgin Islands (Mayer/Penberthy), and the United States (Trevor Crabb/Chase Budinger).

With a direct Olympic berth at stake, the 13 teams will begin their pursuit of a place at Los Angeles 2028 on the sands of Vega Baja.