FIVB Officially Clears Belarusian Teams to Return

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has officially cleared Belarusian national teams, indoor and beach volleyball, all age categories and genders, to compete again in FIVB-sanctioned tournaments.

The decision follows the latest recommendations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). On May 7, the IOC Executive Board announced it no longer recommends any restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams, in competitions governed by International Federations.

The Belarusian Volleyball Federation confirmed it received an official letter signed by FIVB President Fabio Azevedo outlining the decision. The federation now awaits further rulings from the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) regarding continental tournaments.

Belarus women’s national team has not played in an official international tournament since EuroVolley 2021, where they lost to Russia 3-1 in the Round of 16 and finished 14th.

Since then, the team has played only four friendly matches, all against Russia. Two took place in August 2024 to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus, and two more in August 2025.

The FIVB had previously announced that youth teams from Belarus and Russia would be allowed to return to international competition starting January 1, 2026.

(Featured image source: CEV)

(Written by Boris CHUNG Bok Man)