Russia withdraws from 2027 Volleyball World Championship in Poland

The Russian Volleyball Federation has officially notified the FIVB of its voluntary withdrawal from the 2027 Men's Volleyball World Championship, which is scheduled to be hosted in Poland from September 10 to 26, 2027.

The federation cited a lack of security guarantees for Russian athletes on Polish territory as the primary reason for the decision. Russian volleyball player Sergey Savin supported the move, stating that the team would likely require constant security and face potential provocations, making the decision a necessary precaution for the players' health.

However, sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev, an advisor to the Russian Minister of Sport, suggested that security concerns are merely a formal justification. He argued that the decision is actually driven by the fact that Russian citizens face entry restrictions in Poland and other European nations, such as the Czech Republic and Baltic states.