FIVB made historic decisions regarding which countries will host the Volleyball World Championships - for the first time, these are North America and the Middle East.
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and Volleyball World announced two historic hosts for the sport's most prestigious tournaments – the Women's World Championship in 2027 will be co-hosted by the USA and Canada, while the men's edition in 2029 will be hosted by Qatar.
The decisions were made at an FIVB Board of Administration meeting during the Men's World Championship in the Philippines 2025 and are the result of a highly competitive bidding process, reflecting global interest in organizing this leading event.
North America welcomes the World Cup for the first time in history.
After Poland was already confirmed as host of the men's World Cup in 2027, the news of the co-hosting by the USA and Canada for the women sets a historic precedent – for the first time, the World Championship will be held in North America. The event will become a key stage in the preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The final phase of the tournament will be played at the Honda Center and OCVIBE arenas in Anaheim, California, with four more cities in both countries to be designated for the group stage and round of 16 matches. The joint bid reflects the growing popularity of volleyball at youth, university, and professional levels in the USA and Canada.
Qatar – the new stage for men's volleyball in 2029.
Two years later, in 2029, the Men's World Championship will be held for the first time in history in the Middle East – hosted by Qatar. The country, known for organizing numerous global sports events, promises a unique experience and a long-term legacy for volleyball in the region.
All matches will be played in the capital Doha, which is one of the best-connected airport destinations in the world.
It's no wonder we might see Borislav Georgiev again in the setter position, who was part of Qatar's squad in their first victory at the world finals, which are taking place in Manila.
The biggest event in world volleyball.
The Men's and Women's World Championships are the most prestigious tournaments in international volleyball, featuring 32 teams each, playing 64 matches over 17 days. Since 2023, the competition has been held every two years, with the first editions in the new format taking place in 2025 – for women in Thailand, and for men in the Philippines.
With the co-hosting by the USA and Canada in 2027 and Qatar's debut in 2029, volleyball is taking a decisive step towards its globalization – new markets, new fans, and an even greater future for the beloved sport.
photo: fivb.com
