The qualification period for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 has come to an end with the conclusion of the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2024 Preliminary Phase and the FIVB and Volleyball World are pleased to announce the 12 men’s national teams qualified:
Argentina
Argentina secured their spot in Paris 2024 by remaining among the top four teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified by the end of the VNL 2024 Preliminary Phase. The South Americans are set to make their ninth appearance in the Games, having missed it just twice since their debut, in Los Angeles 1984. Argentina took bronze at Tokyo 2020, repeating the result they had achieved in Seoul 1988.
Brazil
By finishing second in Pool A of the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier, Brazil qualified for their 16th-straight Olympics, having never missed the event since volleyball was first included in the program, in Tokyo 1964. They are also among the most successful nations in the event, having collected three gold (Barcelona 1992, Athens 2004 and Rio 2016) and three silver medals (Los Angeles 1984, Beijing 2008 and London 2012).
Canada
Canada booked their tickets to the French capital after they ranked second in Pool C of the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier. They’re set to appear in three straight Olympics for the first time and will compete for medals for the sixth time, having made their debut at home in Montréal 1976. In their first five Olympic runs, Canada were the most successful in Los Angeles 1984, when they ranked fourth.
Egypt
Egypt found their way to Paris as the highest-placed African (CAVB) team in the FIVB World Ranking at the end of the Olympic qualification process. It will be the sixth time the Egyptians compete among the elite of the sport and in their first five appearances (Montréal 1976, Los Angeles 1984, Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and Rio 2016) they were never able to advance from pool play. In Rio, however, they got their first-ever win at the Olympics, beating Cuba.
France
France didn’t have to go through any qualification process to secure their spot in the Games as they are the host country. The Europeans will have the opportunity to defend the Olympic title they won in Tokyo 2020 in front of their home fans. It will be their sixth time at the Games after competing in Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Athens 2004, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Germany
Germany went undefeated in Pool A of the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier to rank first and secure their spot in the Games – it will be their fifth overall appearance and the first since London 2012. Besides the tournament in the British capital, the Germans also played in Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, where they won silver, and Beijing 2008.
Italy
Reigning world champions Italy were among the four best national teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified, claiming one of the four spots in play. With that, they’re set to make their 13th-straight appearance, having qualified every single time following their debut in Montréal 1976. The Italians have three silver (Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004 and Rio 2016) and three bronze (Los Angeles 1984, Sydney 2000 and London 2012) medals in their record.
Japan
Japan were one of the six national teams qualified via the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier, ranking second in Pool B. The Asians will appear at the Olympics for the tenth time and just the third in the last 30 years. The Japanese made it to the semifinals in each of their first four appearances, taking bronze in Tokyo 1964, silver in Mexico City 1968 and gold in Munich 1972, besides ranking fourth in Montréal 1976.
Poland
The top team in the FIVB World Ranking, Poland were among the first national teams qualified for Paris, finishing first in Pool C of the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier. Set to appear in the Games for the 11th time, the Europeans have one medal to show, gold in Montréal 1976. In their last five attempts (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020), the Polish stopped in the quarterfinals.
Serbia
Serbia secured one of the last spots available in Paris, appearing among the best four teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified. The made five straight appearances from Atlanta 1996 to London 2012, but then failed to qualify in the last two editions before Paris. The Serbians took silver in Atlanta and improved to win gold in Sydney 2000.
Slovenia
Slovenia will be the only debuting country in the men’s tournament of the Paris Olympics. Competing internationally since 1992, they secured their spot by finishing the qualification period among the four best national teams in the FIVB World Ranking not yet qualified.
USA
The United States finished first in Pool B of the FIVB Road to Paris Volleyball Qualifier, confirming their presence at the Olympics for a 16th-straight time – the Americans have appeared in each edition of the Games that included volleyball in the program, starting in Tokyo 1964. They have three gold (Los Angeles 1984, Seoul 1988 and Beijing 2008) and two bronze (Barcelona 1992 and Rio 2016) medals in 15 appearances.
The Olympic volleyball tournament at Paris 2024 will take place from July 27 to August 11 at the South Paris Arena in the French capital. The Drawing on Lots will be held on June 26, in Łódź, Poland, at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT) – click here to watch.
Credit: AIPS Media
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