2026 FIVB Men's Club World Championship: When Asian and African Debutants Step onto the World's Biggest Stage

On July 8, 2026, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) officially announced the list of eight clubs that will participate in the 2026 Men's Club World Championship, to be held in Poland. This is not merely an announcement about the participant list — it is a signal that the world club volleyball landscape is entering a new chapter, where the boundaries between 'traditional powerhouses' and 'peripheral newcomers' are gradually blurring.

Eight teams from four continents — that is not a large number, but it contains an entire geopolitical picture of sport that is changing. Perugia of Italy, the reigning champions, brings the European Champions League title and two of the world's top stars. Sada Cruzeiro of Brazil, five-time champions of this tournament, is not coming to Poland as a guest. Al Ahly of Egypt, Africa's representative, carries the tradition of one of the continent's largest sports clubs. And two completely new names for international audiences: Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi from Indonesia and Ziraat from Turkey.

I have been following world club volleyball since 2026, when my blog had only 143 views per week. Back then, people told me that club volleyball outside Europe and South America 'had nothing worth watching.' Now, looking at this list, I see a completely different story being written.

Perugia: The team of stars with no equals, or the weariness of champions?

First of all, we must talk about Sir Safety Perugia. The Italian team arrives in Poland as defending world champions and having just won the 2026-2026 European Champions League. They boast two names that any coach would dream of: Oleg Plotnytskyi, the Ukrainian ace at the peak of his career, and Simone Giannelli, the finest libero of his generation. These are players I have watched compete through multiple Serie A seasons — they are not only excellent in individual technique but also create a tactical system that opponents struggle to break.

But this is also Perugia's hidden weakness. When a team is too strong compared to the rest, the biggest risk is not losing — it is complacency. Perugia has grown accustomed to winning, and in a short tournament like the Club World Championship with knockout format, one moment of lost focus can bring everything crashing down. Additionally, they must simultaneously compete in Serie A, the most demanding volleyball league in the world. The possibility of their stars being overworked or rested is entirely plausible.

Sada Cruzeiro: The seasoned challenger with the pedigree of five-time champions

If Perugia is the 'reigning king,' then Sada Cruzeiro of Brazil is the 'former monarch' with ambitions to reclaim the throne. The team from Belo Horizonte has won the Club World Championship five times, and the experience of competing at the highest level is something that cannot be bought with money. They come to Poland not to participate — they come to reclaim the crown.

What I have observed through Superliga Brazil seasons is that Sada Cruzeiro always possesses remarkable tactical adaptability. Whether opponents use the fast-attack style of Asia or the power style of Russia, they have countermeasures. This is characteristic of great teams: they do not rely on a single system but can shift flexibly depending on the opponent.

However, the question remains whether Sada Cruzeiro can maintain form when traveling from South America to Europe. Time zone differences, climate conditions, and neutral courts are all factors that could affect their fitness and mentality.

Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi: The historic turning point for Southeast Asian volleyball

This is the name that interests me most on this list. Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi is not only Indonesia's first representative at the Men's Club World Championship — they are also the first men's club from Southeast Asia to win the Asian Club Championship. This is an achievement I did not anticipate when following the AVC Champions League last season.

Southeast Asian volleyball is often underestimated internationally, with reasons like 'insufficient stamina,' 'limited height,' and 'lack of high-level competitive experience.' But those who watched Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi compete at the Asian Championship saw resilient defense, remarkable ball-retrieval ability, and fighting spirit that never gives up. These are qualities that Vietnam's men's volleyball is also building, despite many difficulties with infrastructure and expertise.

Clearly, Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi will not be a title contender. But their presence in Poland is already a message: Asian volleyball is not only about Japan, China, or Iran. And if they perform well — even just making things difficult for a strong opponent — it will be a major step forward for the entire region.

Ziraat Bankası: The Turkish newcomer with ambitions to cross boundaries

Meanwhile, Ziraat Bankası of Turkey brings a different story. They represent one of the strongest volleyball leagues in Europe — the Turkish Volleyball Super League — but are making their first appearance at the Club World Championship. This differs from Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi: Ziraat has a foundation from a high-level league, but experience at this international level remains very limited.

Turkey has proven its strength in men's volleyball over many years, with clubs like Halkbank Ankara having dominated the Champions League. Ziraat Bankası may not be as strong, but they have an advantage: regular competition against top European teams. This could help them adapt faster to the pace and pressure of the Club World Championship.

Al Ahly and Foolad Sirjan: Two representatives from developing volleyball regions

Egypt's Al Ahly Club is one of the powerhouses of African volleyball, with multiple CAVB Club Championship titles. The team brings to Poland a physical, strength-and-height-oriented style — characteristic of North African volleyball. Meanwhile, Iran's Foolad Sirjan represents the Asian volleyball school with good individual technique and impressive team coordination.

These two teams are not expected to compete for the title, but their presence shows that world volleyball is becoming more diverse. This is something I always support: a sport should not be dominated by a few countries but should expand opportunities for every region to develop.

What I really want to say: This is not just a tournament for the 'big boys'

Reading comments about the 2026 Club World Championship participant list, I see many people focusing only on the race between Perugia and Sada Cruzeiro. They almost completely ignore the 'newcomers' from Asia and Africa. This is precisely what I want to counter.

Every major tournament has dual significance. For Perugia, this is an opportunity to consolidate their empire. For Sada Cruzeiro, this is an opportunity to overthrow. But for Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, Ziraat, Al Ahly, and Foolad Sirjan, this is an opportunity to be seen, to be recognized, and — someday, not far from now — to become genuine contenders.

I started writing my blog in 2026, when nobody cared about the Nadeshiko League or Vietnamese women's volleyball. I understand the value of being placed on a big stage — regardless of the outcome. Losing at the Club World Championship is not as bad as never being allowed to participate.

What to watch when the tournament begins

Although official information about the match schedule and draw system has not been announced, I can predict certain things based on previous seasons. The eight teams are typically divided into two groups of four, playing round-robin to select the top two teams from each group for the semifinals. This format benefits the stronger teams because they have more time to adapt, but also creates opportunities for surprises.

For Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, what I will watch is their ability to handle pressure in crucial matches. Asian teams have surprised at international tournaments before, but maintaining consistent performance across multiple matches is different. If Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi can win at least one match in the group stage, that will be a major success.

For Perugia, I will monitor the fitness status of Plotnytskyi and Giannelli. If either of these stars faces fitness issues or injuries, Sada Cruzeiro's chances will increase significantly. This is why the team with the deepest roster usually wins this tournament.

The future is already set: Poland will host the Club World Championship until 2027

The important information many overlook: FIVB has confirmed the tournament will continue in Poland in 2027. This is not a temporary decision — it is a long-term commitment showing that the International Volleyball Federation trusts Poland's organizational capability and wants to build the tournament's brand at a stable venue.

Poland is a volleyball powerhouse, with both men's and women's national teams regularly ranked among the world's best. Hosting the Club World Championship helps them consolidate their position and provides domestic audiences access to the highest-level club volleyball. However, notably, no Polish team appears in the list of eight participants for 2026. This opens the possibility of a wild card being awarded to the host team in future seasons.

Closing: The stage is ready, the story is waiting to be told

I sat in the press box at the 2026 Russia World Cup, witnessing injustices in how female journalists were treated. I left the stadium with an unrelenting indignation — and it never cooled, only converted into heat to keep writing. Now, looking at the Club World Championship participant list, I see a different version of the same story: voices from the periphery are gradually being heard.

Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi is not the strongest team at the tournament. Ziraat will struggle in their first appearance on the world stage. Al Ahly and Foolad Sirjan may exit at the group stage. But they are all here, and that is what matters.

World volleyball is changing. Not through a big shock, but through the small steps of teams that were once overlooked. And I, as someone who has written about sport from a tiny blog to major tournaments, understand: every step forward deserves recognition.

The 2026 Men's Club World Championship will be held in Poland. And I will be there, writing about the stories that others might overlook.