The Asian Volleyball Confederation’s Volleyball Council has recently reflected on the success of the 2023 volleyball season, marking it as a significant turning point for the sport. The meeting, held in a hybrid format, included discussions on the remarkable increase in spectator attendance, TV viewership, and social media reach of all volleyball events in 2023. FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° emphasized the importance of constant innovation and collaboration in elevating volleyball to greater heights. He credited the success to decisive actions such as streamlining the global calendar and enhancing the event experience.

A key agenda item was the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, with preparations and qualifications for the volleyball competitions well underway. The Road to Paris Olympic Qualifiers was a resounding success, with six women’s and six men’s teams already securing their spots for the Games. The remaining qualification spots will be determined via the FIVB World Rankings in June 2024, following the preliminary phase of next year’s Volleyball Nations League (VNL).

Looking ahead, 2024 will also see the inaugural edition of the FIVB Volleyball U17 World Championships, with numerous cities expressing interest in hosting the event. The Council also discussed the growing significance of the FIVB World Rankings in ensuring the participation of the best teams in key events.

Furthermore, the Council reviewed the qualification processes and formats for major future events, such as the World Championships in 2025 and 2028, and the Olympic Games LA28. A unified format for the Men’s and Women’s World Championships was introduced, featuring 32 teams per gender, divided into eight pools of four teams each in the pool phase, followed by a direct elimination phase​​.