Russia will not compete in the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland. The Russian Volleyball Federation withdrew the national team, citing security concerns and the expected politicisation of the tournament. Former Russian international Alexey Spiridonov has strongly criticised the decision.

The International Volleyball Federation confirmed on 4 August that Russia’s men’s and women’s national teams will return to the Volleyball Nations League in 2027. The competition will temporarily expand from 18 to 19 teams to accommodate their participation.

At the same time, the FIVB announced that the Russian federation had formally notified it of its voluntary withdrawal from the 2027 Men’s World Cup in Poland. The event is the continuation of the Volleyball World Championship, which will be staged under its new name for the first time in 2027. The FIVB outlined its roadmap for Russia’s return in an official statement.

Russian officials reportedly argued that they had not received sufficient security guarantees and expected the competition in Poland to be dominated by politics rather than sport.

Spiridonov Attacks His Own Federation

The decision was openly criticised by Alexey Spiridonov, a European champion and former member of the Russian national team. Known for his controversial behaviour and provocative public statements, Spiridonov insisted that Russia should accept the opportunity to return to a major international tournament.

“If we have been allowed back, what difference does it make whether we play in Poland, Italy or on the Moon? We must play,” he said, as quoted by Sports.ru.

Spiridonov also recalled Russia’s participation in the 2014 World Championship in Poland, which took place only months after Russia’s annexation of Crimea had sharply increased political tensions between Moscow and Warsaw.

He admitted that the atmosphere was difficult at the time, but argued that the Russian team had nevertheless competed and should do the same in 2027. Spiridonov also claimed that Russia would have been one of the favourites to win the tournament.

Russia Returning After Five-Year Exclusion

Russian and Belarusian national teams, clubs, officials and athletes were excluded from international and continental volleyball competitions in March 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The FIVB’s latest decision marks a significant step towards Russia’s return to world volleyball. Both the men’s and women’s teams will participate in the 2027 Nations League as the highest-ranked sides not already qualified for the competition. A dedicated anti-doping programme is also to be introduced in cooperation with the International Testing Agency.

The federation is still considering whether Russia’s women’s team could participate in the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States and Canada.

Major Tournament in Five Polish Cities

The men’s tournament will take place in September 2027 in five Polish cities: Gdańsk, Katowice, Łódź, Olsztyn and Kraków. The semifinals and medal matches will be held at Kraków’s Tauron Arena. A total of 32 national teams are expected to participate. The host cities were announced by Volleyball World in March 2026.

The competition will also serve as an Olympic qualifier, with the three highest-placed teams not already qualified securing places at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Russia’s absence will therefore be the result of its own federation’s decision rather than a direct exclusion imposed by the FIVB. Spiridonov’s reaction shows that the withdrawal is also controversial within Russian volleyball, particularly at a moment when the country is being gradually readmitted to international competition.