Brazil volleyball teams face injuries and a comeback in 2026 Nations League
Brazil’s men’s national volleyball squad entered the final weekend of the second VNL round in Ljubljana with a three‑match losing streak, including a 0‑3 loss to host Slovenia that dropped them to eighth place with 11 points. The defeat followed earlier defeats to Ukraine and Italy. The team broke the slide on Sunday, defeating Canada 3‑2 (25‑17, 23‑25, 28‑26, 22‑25, 17‑15) to remain in the qualification zone and keep a chance of reaching the final round in Ningbo, China.
Meanwhile, the Brazil women’s team announced that captain and opposite Gabriela "Gabi" Guimarães will miss the third stage of the league in Osaka, Japan, after reporting lumbar discomfort. Medical exams after the Turkish leg indicated the need for precautionary treatment, unrelated to her previous rib injury. Gabi will stay in Brazil for physiotherapy and be reassessed after the Osaka stage.
Both squads now aim to improve their standings: the men will face France, the United States, Poland and China in Chicago later in July, while the women will look to regain momentum in the upcoming phases.
Key upcoming fixtures: Men – France (15 July, Chicago, USA); Women – Osaka stage (starting 8 July, Japan).