Japan's head coach Philippe Blain will head to the Olympics with most of the core that helped the "Samurai" make a significant leap in international volleyball over the past few years (bronze at the 2023 Volleyball Nations League and second place in the FIVB World Ranking). The inclusion of 20-year-old outside hitter Masato Kai, who had good performances in the VNL this season, is perhaps the most interesting aspect of Blain's selection. Along with setter Akihiro Fukatsu, opposite Kento Miyaura, and the other two outside hitters Kentaro Takahashi and Shoma Tomita, Kai will be one of only five Olympic rookies on the Japanese roster, which includes eight returning players from the Tokyo Games.
The main squad of the French coach includes the team's pillars from the past few years, such as captain Yuki Ishikawa, opposite Yuji Nishida, outside hitter Ran Takahashi, middle blocker Taishi Onodera, setter Masahiro Sekita, and libero Tomohiro Yamamoto.
"Our biggest goal in Paris is to win a medal and we will approach it with great determination," Ishikawa commented. "We have gained a lot of experience since Tokyo and that is one of our main strengths, along with our technical skills. We have a month until the Olympics and we will prepare in the best possible way to try and win the gold medal."
"To win a medal at the Olympics, we will need to be in our best form physically, technically, and tactically," Blain reflected. "We are preparing the players to be able to make good decisions in difficult situations, and the VNL has helped us improve this aspect. The VNL Finals will bring together the eight best teams in the world again and that will be a great experience for us."

Setters:Akihiro Fukatsu, Masahiro Sekita
Opposite Hitters:Kento Miyaura, Yuji Nishida
Outside Hitters:Masato Kai, Ran Takahashi, Tatsunori Otsuka, Yuki Ishikawa
Middle Blockers:Akihiro Yamauchi, Kentaro Takahashi, Taishi Onodera
Libero:Tomohiro Yamamoto
Reserve:Shoma Tomita (outside hitter)
Japan is only the second men's national team to announce its squad for the Paris Olympic Games. The USA revealed its roster for the French capital on May 10.

25 athletes will be called to a training camp for the Italian national team for the Olympics. From them, Fefè De Giorgi must choose 13 volleyball players (12+1 reserve) to travel to Paris:

Setters:
Paolo Porro (Allianz Milano), Marco Falaschi (Pallavolo Padova), Simone Giannelli (Sir Susa Vim Perugia), Riccardo Sbertoli (Itas Trentino).

Outside Hitters:
Francesco Recine (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza), Alessandro Michieletto (Itas Trentino), Mattia Bottolo (Cucine Lube Civitanova), Daniele Lavia (Itas Trentino), Tommaso Rinaldi (Valsa Group Modena), Davide Gardini (Pallavolo Padova), Luca Porro (Pallavolo Padova).

Middle Blockers:
Giovanni Sanguinetti (Valsa Group Modena), Lorenzo Cortesia (Rana Verona), Gianluca Galassi (Mint Vero Volley Monza), Simone Anzani (Cucine Lube Civitanova), Roberto Russo (Sir Susa Vim Perugia), Edoardo Caneschi (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza), Leandro Mosca (Rana Verona).

Opposite Hitters:
Yuri Romanò (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza), Fabrizio Gironi (Gas Sales Bluenergy Piacenza), Alessandro Bovolenta (Consar Ravenna).

Liberos:
Fabio Balaso (Cucine Lube Civitanova), Marco Gaggini (Mint Vero Volley Monza), Damiano Catania (Allianz Milano), Gabriele Laurenzano (Itas Trentino).
The team affiliation of the players is that with which they played the 2023/24 season.