China’s women’s national volleyball team has the opportunity to secure their spot in the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles by clinching the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship, as outlined in the newly approved volleyball calendar by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The FIVB has introduced this calendar as part of its efforts to streamline the qualification process for the 2028 Olympics, aiming to create a more efficient and spectator-friendly experience. However, the proposed format change is still subject to approval from the International Olympic Committee.
Under the new format, the host nation (the United States) will automatically qualify for the Games, along with the five champions of the continental championships, the top three teams from the 2027 World Championships, and the three highest-ranked teams according to the world rankings. This alteration will bring the Asian championship back into the spotlight.
China’s women’s national team has been the dominant force in Asian volleyball, having emerged victorious in 13 out of the past 20 continental tournaments. Nevertheless, since 2017, the Chinese team has been using the tournament as a platform to assess young players. Consequently, China will be fielding its second-string team for the upcoming 2023 Asian Championship in Thailand, as the primary national team focuses on preparations for the Paris Olympics qualifications in 2024 and the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games in September.
With the phasing out of Olympic qualifications, the revised calendar aims to streamline international volleyball competitions while prioritizing the health and well-being of athletes and other key stakeholders in the sport. This change is undoubtedly welcomed by both China’s women’s and men’s teams, as they can secure their Olympic berths by triumphing in the continental championship, thus eliminating the need for additional qualification matches.
Furthermore, the new format stipulates that the top three teams from each continental championship will qualify for the World Championships, which will now occur every two years starting from 2025, rather than the previous four-year cycle. This adjustment presents China’s women’s volleyball team, currently ranked fifth in the world, with more opportunities to compete for the coveted world champion title.
In conclusion, the FIVB’s newly approved volleyball calendar brings significant changes to the qualification process for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. China’s women’s national volleyball team, with their remarkable track record in Asian competitions, has the chance to secure their Olympic spot by winning the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship. This format change not only streamlines the international volleyball calendar but also provides more opportunities for teams to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level.