Volleyball Nations League
The Volleyball Nations League brings together 18 men’s and 18 women’s national teams across a global preliminary phase and an eight-team Finals. This permanent VolleyBond tournament profile keeps the latest edition, complete standings, player performance, decisive results and recent tournament history in one place.
VNL 2026 at a Glance
The 2026 VNL ended with Poland defending the men’s title after a five-set final against the United States, while Türkiye defeated Brazil to win the women’s competition for the second time. Slovenia earned its first VNL medal in the men’s bronze match, and Italy completed the women’s podium in Macao.
Full Final Standings
P / W / L / PTS show the Preliminary Phase record; the rank column shows the final tournament placement.
P / W / L / PTS show the Preliminary Phase record; the rank column shows the final tournament placement.
Performance Leaders
Men's
Jake Hanes · USA
66 points
Matt Anderson · USA
59 points
Rok Možič · Slovenia
53 attack points
Ran Takahashi · Japan
54 points
Yuji Nishida · Japan
42 points
Tomasz Fornal · Poland
Tournament MVP
Women's
Melissa Vargas · Türkiye
83 points
Ana Cristina · Brazil
78 points
Julia Bergmann · Brazil
54 points
Melissa Vargas · Türkiye
Tournament MVP
Key Results
How VNL 2026 Changed the 2027 Field
The Preliminary Phase and the Final Standings tell different parts of the 2026 VNL story. Japan went 12–0 in the men’s Preliminary Phase, while Poland and Slovenia both finished 10–2 before the Finals reshaped the podium. In the women’s competition, the United States and Italy each went 10–2, but Türkiye ultimately won the title in Macao.
Under the published 2026 promotion-relegation rules, the team finishing last in the Final Standings is relegated. Canada finished 18th in the men’s Final Standings and Bulgaria finished 18th in the women’s Final Standings.
For 2027, the FIVB later confirmed a one-season expansion from 18 to 19 teams per gender. Russia’s men’s and women’s teams will join as the highest-ranked teams not yet qualified, while the expansion also preserves places for Finland men and Slovenia women.
Teams in 2026
Poland Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →United States Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · North America (NORCECA)
View team →Slovenia Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Japan Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Asia (AVC)
View team →Italy Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Türkiye Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Ukraine Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →China Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Asia (AVC)
View team →Bulgaria Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Brazil Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · South America (CSV)
View team →France Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Serbia Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Germany Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Belgium Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Iran Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Asia (AVC)
View team →Argentina Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · South America (CSV)
View team →Cuba Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · North America (NORCECA)
View team →Canada Men’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · North America (NORCECA)
View team →VakıfBank Women’s Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →Brazil Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryItaly Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team · Europe (CEV)
View team →China Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryUnited States Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryCanada Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryJapan Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryNetherlands Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryPoland Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryCzechia Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entrySerbia Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryGermany Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryBelgium Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryThailand Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryDominican Republic Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryUkraine Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryFrance Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryBulgaria Women’s National Volleyball Team
National Team
Tournament entryFormat, Qualification & Hosts
The 2026 VNL featured 18 national teams in each gender. Every team played 12 Preliminary Phase matches across three competition weeks. The seven best teams advanced to the Finals together with the Finals host, creating an eight-team knockout field.
The women’s Finals were held in Macao, China, from 22–26 July, while the men’s Finals were staged in Ningbo, China, from 29 July–2 August. The team finishing last in the Final Standings is relegated, while the highest-ranked eligible non-participant in the FIVB World Ranking is promoted for the next edition.
What Defined VNL 2026
MEN’S TITLE
Poland defended the crown in another five-set final against the USA
Poland won 3–2 in Ningbo to secure another VNL title, with Tomasz Fornal named tournament MVP.
BREAKTHROUGH
Slovenia finally converted another Finals run into a medal
After several deep VNL runs without a podium finish, Slovenia beat Japan 3–1 in the bronze-medal match to earn its first VNL medal.
WOMEN’S TITLE
Türkiye returned to the top behind Melissa Vargas
Türkiye beat Brazil 3–1 in Macao to win its second VNL title. Melissa Vargas was named MVP after also leading the women’s Finals scoring chart.
FINAL-PHASE SCORING
Jake Hanes and Melissa Vargas set the attacking pace
Hanes led the men’s Finals with 66 points, while Vargas topped the women’s Finals with 83. Matt Anderson, Rok Možič, Ana Cristina and Julia Bergmann were also among the most productive scorers.
Recent Champions
VNL FAQ
How many teams play in the Volleyball Nations League?
The 2026 VNL featured 18 men’s and 18 women’s national teams.
How do teams qualify for the VNL Finals?
The seven best teams from the Preliminary Phase advance together with the Finals host, creating an eight-team knockout field.
Who won the 2026 VNL?
Poland won the men’s title and Türkiye won the women’s title.
Does the VNL affect the FIVB World Ranking?
Yes. VNL matches are eligible international matches and can change FIVB World Ranking points, but the VNL standings and the FIVB World Ranking remain separate systems.
Why does VolleyBond keep one VNL page instead of making a new URL every year?
The tournament profile is evergreen. The newest edition stays at the top, while recent champions and previous-edition context remain available lower on the page.
Player Profiles
