Russia has won the last two editions
This spectacular total, coming from 162 national federations across the five FIVB confederations, represents an increase of 81 teams from the previous best of 214 teams from 119 federations for the 2010 World Championships.
“It is extremely pleasing to see the level of interest in the FIVB World Championships and the outstanding number of countries participating in the FIVB’s signature volleyball event,” FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° said. “This is a continuation of the growth of our sport. Following the success of the Beach Volleyball Continental Cup which saw a record 143 countries participate in the 2012 Olympic qualification process, the FIVB Volleyball World Championships is continuing the trend of increased participation across volleyball and beach volleyball.”
The break down by gender is also impressive. The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Poland 2014 has 154 countries registered (up from 113 in 2010) while the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship Italy 2014 features 141 countries in the qualification process (up from 101 in 2010).
The qualification process will see countries compete within their confederation to determine the 23 participants who will join the hosts at the FIVB Volleyball World Championships next year.
The NORCECA Confederation has already started its qualification process with eight men’s first round tournaments held in 2012 with the top three teams from each advancing to the second round. The process will continue through to the third round where the five NORCECA representatives will be determined.
The winner of the World Championships will qualify for the FIVB Volleyball World Cup 2015, which is the first Olympic qualification event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Russia is the most successful nation in the FIVB Volleyball World Championships having won the men’s title six times (all as USSR) and the women’s crown five times, including the last two editions. Brazil has won the last three men’s editions.
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