Alan Nine
Volleyball.it’s Tuesday, August 4, 2026 coverage moved across international politics, federation decisions, club events and Italian market news. The sharpest headline concerned Russia’s decision to stay out of the 2027 Men’s World Championship in Poland, a choice tied, according to reports cited by Volleyball.it, to security concerns and political opportunity. On the same international front, FIVB confirmed the return of the Russian men’s and women’s national teams to the Volleyball Nations League 2027, while also expanding the tournament to 19 teams for that edition only. The day also brought confirmation that the 2026 Women’s Club World Championship will be staged in San Paolo, while in Italy the market stayed active with moves involving Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia and Cucine Lube Civitanova.
International
The most politically charged story of the day came from Russia’s decision to remain out of the 2027 Men’s World Championship in Poland. Volleyball.it, citing BO Sport, reported that the Russian federation chose to give up participation “voluntarily” because of security issues and the broader political context. The headline also quoted federation president Stanislav Shevchenko, who said there would be very little sport and a great deal of politics around the event.
Volleyball.it also highlighted another important international development for 2027. FIVB confirmed the return of the Russian men’s and women’s national teams to the VNL as the highest-ranked sides not yet qualified. To accommodate that re-entry, the governing body will expand the tournament to 19 teams for the 2027 edition only. Taken together, the two stories frame an unusual scenario: Russia is set to return to one major annual competition while staying away from the next men’s world championship in Poland.
Club World Championship
On the club side, Volleyball.it reported that the 2026 Women’s Club World Championship will be played in San Paolo, Brazil, from December 8 to 13 at the Poliesportivo Wlamir Marques. The tournament will feature eight teams, giving the event a compact format in one of Brazil’s major volleyball centers.
The article noted that Osasco will represent the host club presence. The decision gives the competition a clear Brazilian setting well before the club season reaches its decisive European stretch, and it places another major international event on South American soil at the end of the calendar year.
Italian Transfer News
In domestic market coverage, Tonno Callipo Vibo Valentia introduced outside hitter Giulia Felappi, who arrives in Calabria after her A2 experience with Messina. Volleyball.it presented the move through the player’s first comments, with Felappi making clear that she sees Vibo as a place to aim high in the coming season.
Another notable item involved Cucine Lube Civitanova, where captain Fabio Balaso extended his contract until 2029. Volleyball.it underlined that the libero has prolonged an agreement that had originally been due to expire in 2027, giving the club two additional seasons of continuity around one of its core leaders.
Beach Volley And EuroVolley
There were also two federation-linked updates with a practical focus. In beach volleyball, Sanguanini was called up for the men’s national team training camp scheduled from August 3 to 7 at the Magister Village in Montesilvano. Volleyball.it reported that the player from the Scuola di Pallavolo Anderlini will work with the national setup during that period.
Finally, Volleyball.it reported that reservations have opened for spectators with disabilities for EuroVolley 2026. The booking form is available for matches in Naples, Modena and Turin, and applications can be submitted until 11:45 p.m. on August 25. It was one of the day’s most service-oriented updates and another sign that operational planning for the continental event is already moving into a more public phase.
