Russia pulls out of 2027 volleyball World Cup in Poland, citing security

The All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VVF) said the men's national team will not take part in the 2027 World Championship in Poland, a decision made "due to the lack of security guarantees for Russian athletes on the territory of this country."

"We think that at this tournament there will be critically little sport and a lot of politics," said VVF President Stanislav Shevchenko. He added that both the men's and women's teams are "fully restored in their rights": the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) froze the teams' rankings, which secured their participation in the next edition of the Nations League. Because of the return of Russian teams, the number of participants was increased from 18 to 19 for both men and women.

The question of the women's team's participation in the World Championship, to be held in the United States and Canada, is still under discussion. FIVB "continues to work in this direction" with the tournament's organizing committee and the volleyball federations of the U.S. and Canada.

In early July, FIVB lifted all restrictions on Russian athletes, following a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its temporary reinstatement of the Russian Olympic Committee. The sanctions had been imposed because Russia had incorporated sports federations from annexed and occupied territories of Ukraine into its national sports federation system.

After FIVB's decision, Polish Volleyball Union President Sebastian Świderski said he saw no possibility of holding the tournament with Russia's participation, and that Polish authorities would not issue entry visas to Russian athletes. "If it turns out that the Russian team has to face the Ukrainian team, then in which country will this match take place? What will happen in the stands and beyond? For me, this is unthinkable," he said.

In Kyiv, the IOC's decision was criticized. "This decision shows complete disregard for the memory of hundreds of Ukrainian athletes killed at the hands of Russia," said Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi.