National teams are entering a crucial phase of their preparation for the Volleyball Nations League 2026, as even before the first match, coaches must make some of their most important choices for the entire season. The reason FIVB's strict procedure regarding squad submission, which practically "closes" the possibilities for changes weeks before the start of the tournament.
For the current edition, the deadlines for the extended lists are:

• May 13th for women

• May 20th for men

By these dates, federations must submit the so-called Long List an extended squad with all players who can be used during the VNL. The regulations allow this list to have no limit on the number of players, but they set a clear condition a player not on this list is not allowed to be included in the tournament.
After submitting the extended squad, possibilities for changes are severely limited. The only exception is the option to add up to six players.
However, this does not apply to the match squad, but only to the extended list. In other words, it's a last chance for federations to supplement the initially submitted names.
According to the regulations, these additions can be made up to the deadline for the first competition, which precedes the preliminary technical inspection of the teams. After this point, the list is considered final.
The actual match squad is formed at a later stage. For each VNL tournament, teams select a group of 12 to 14 players, all of whom must be part of the already submitted Long List.
The final selection is confirmed during the so-called Preliminary Inquiry the technical meeting upon the teams' arrival, when the squad for the specific tournament is approved.
After this point, only limited corrections are possible up to two substitutions due to medical reasons, which are subject to approval.
Bulgaria will participate in both the men's and women's tournaments, which puts both coaching staffs under serious pressure even before the start of the competition.
For women, the deadline (May 13th) comes immediately after the end of the club season, when coaches must quickly assess the form and condition of the players.
For men, the deadline (May 20th) also leaves limited time for reaction after the conclusion of club competitions in Europe, meaning that key decisions are made almost immediately after the season ends.
Parallel to the squad deadlines, FIVB will use the tournament as a platform for a series of experimental changes affecting various elements of the game:

• increasing substitutions per set from 6 to 8

• possibility for teams to play with one or two liberos

• a more lenient interpretation of double contact during setting

• possibility for the receiving team to leave their positions as soon as the serve begins

• stricter enforcement of the rule against holding and throwing the ball during an attack

• a new video review system with the so-called

• marking

• of situations during a rally

• inclusion of reception and defensive actions within the scope of the challenge

• restriction of interruptions - a team that has requested a review is not entitled to a timeout immediately afterwards

• reduction in the use of referee signals in obvious situations

• new rules for ball contact with the ceiling within the same court