Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2022: Volleyball World and the FIVB can announce that Japan is the first country to be confirmed as a host for one of the eagerly anticipated FIVB Road To Paris Volleyball Qualifier events taking place in 2023.
Japan will welcome the volleyball elite as men’s and women’s teams battle for not only a place at the 2024 Olympics in Paris but also for an event which is traditionally known as the World Cup in Japan.
With participation at Paris 2024 the ultimate goal, countries will head to Japan with the women’s competition running between 16-24 September 2023. The men’s event will follow, beginning on 30 September and finishing on 8 October 2023.
The pools, which will be filled by the serpentine system, will be revealed on 19 December while host cities for the other groups will be announced in due course.
FIVB President Dr Ary S. Graça F° said: “Japan has a long and successful history of hosting major international volleyball events and is well known for the high level of both its men’s and women’s national teams and, of course, for its passionate fanbase.
“I have no doubt that next year’s event, which will double up as a World Cup, will be an incredible celebration for our sport and fans all over the world.”
Shunichi Kawai, President of the Japan Volleyball Association, added: “I am very pleased to announce the hosting of FIVB Road To Paris Volleyball Qualifier/World Cup 2023 Japan which has been our strong aspiration since 2016.
“Both men’s and women’s Japanese national teams did very well this season and I feel that they have ability to compete equally with the top teams of the world. I am very sure that they will win the tickets to Paris 2024 in front of a huge Japanese crowd.”
There will be 12 teams in women’s and men’s volleyball at Paris 2024.