Cuba achieved its maximum program in Moncton. In just a few days, one of the most traditional teams in world volleyball secured its participation in the 2027 World Cup, and then also won a quota for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
The culmination came in the final of the NORCECA Olympic qualifier, in which the Cubans defeated hosts Canada 3:1 (25:21, 25:23, 23:25, 25:22). With this success, Cuba took the quota for Los Angeles 2028, allocated through the NORCECA continental qualification, and will return to the Olympic stage for the first time since Rio 2016. The USA will also represent the confederation at the Games, but the Americans are directly qualified as hosts of the Olympics.
Marlon Yant was Cuba's big leader in the final with 25 points – 21 from attack, 3 aces, and 1 block. Captain Miguel Angel Lopez added 22 points – 19 from attack and 3 blocks, while for Canada, Stephen Maar also finished with 22.
The Cubans achieved their double success in Moncton without one of their key middle blockers, Javier Concepcion. The 28-year-old volleyball player suffered a severe injury at the end of June against Iran in the Nations League, when he fractured the tibia and fibula of his left leg. Concepcion underwent surgery and began a long recovery, which ruled him out of contention for the September tournaments.
Three days before the Olympic qualification, Cuba had also completed its first major task in Canada. In the bronze medal match of the NORCECA Championship, the Cubans defeated the Dominican Republic 3:0 (25:22, 25:19, 26:24) and took the third quota from the tournament for the 2027 World Cup in Poland. The other two spots were won by the USA and Canada.

Two tournaments, two different goals

In Moncton, two competitions with different stakes were held consecutively. First, the NORCECA Championship determined the continental champion and the three teams that received spots at the 2027 World Cup. The USA took the title for the 11th time after a dramatic 3:2 victory over Canada (25:19, 26:24, 25:27, 17:25, 15:13), and Cuba finished third.
After the end of the continental championship, it was time for the separate qualification for Los Angeles 2028. The USA did not participate in it, as they already have an Olympic spot as hosts, and Canada, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico competed for the quota. In the semifinals, the Cubans defeated the Dominican Republic 3:0 (32:30, 25:19, 25:15), while Canada dealt with Mexico 3:0 (25:21, 25:18, 25:13). Thus, the direct match between Cuba and the hosts had to determine who would take the Olympic ticket from the NORCECA qualification.

Cuba back at the Olympics after 12 years

For Cuba, this will be their eighth participation in the Olympic Games. In their last appearance in Rio 2016, the team finished 11th. From the squad that won the qualification in Moncton, Miguel Angel Lopez, Osniel Melgarejo, and Yonder Roman Garcia Alvarez were at the Games ten years ago. Javier Concepcion, who is now absent due to a severe injury, was also part of the 2016 Olympic team. Cuba's greatest success in men's volleyball at the Olympic Games remains the bronze medal from Montreal 1976.
Thus, Cuba leaves Moncton with everything it came for – a spot at the 2027 World Cup and a return to the Olympic Games after a 12-year hiatus. The Caribbean team is the third already qualified participant for the men's Olympic tournament in Los Angeles 2028, after hosts USA and Japan, who won the Asian quota.

photo: volleyballworld.com