Lausanne, Switzerland — Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) President Ramon Suzara took part in the FIVB Board of Administration meeting held at Volleyball House in Lausanne, where key regulatory decisions and strategic updates were approved in line with the FIVB Strategic Vision 2032.
The meeting addressed major developments aimed at strengthening the future of volleyball and beach volleyball globally, including the approval of rule tests for implementation during the 2026 international season. The approved tests will be applied in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, FIVB Volleyball U17 World Championships, and the 2026 Continental Championships.
The proposed regulatory adjustments form part of a broader review designed to enhance game flow, simplify the rules, and improve fan engagement and understanding. The approved tests cover playing actions, video challenge procedures, coach–referee interaction, substitutions, roster composition, warm-up protocols, and match operations.
Among the key measures approved:
- The number of substitutions per set will increase from six to eight.
- Teams in FIVB competitions may register between 12 and 14 players, with at least one Libero required.
- Adjustments to the interpretation of out-of-rotation movement and ceiling contact were clarified.
- A mid-rally challenge “bookmark” system will be introduced to improve video review efficiency.
- Strict enforcement of attack contact rules related to push–carry–throw actions will be implemented.
- A revised warm-up protocol introducing a 90-second separate serving period was approved for athlete safety.
Any permanent updates to the Official Volleyball Rules will be subject to review following the testing phase.
In addition to regulatory matters, the Board advanced several governance and development initiatives aligned with the Strategic Vision 2032. Updates were provided on financial outlook, legal and commercial progress, and international competition planning.
The Board approved leadership changes, including the appointment of Abhijit Bhattacharya as President of the Mass Participation and Snow Volleyball Commission, and adjustments within the FIVB Investment Committee. Updates were also received from the Empowerment and National Federation Relations Department, which has invested more than USD 54 million across nearly 1,700 projects in over 200 National Federations.
Important updates to the FIVB World Ranking system were also approved to enhance fairness and inclusivity.
Competition updates included preparations for the 2026 Volleyball Nations League, Age Group World Championships, Continental Championships, Club World Championships, and the 2026 Beach Pro Tour. The Board also received updates on the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 and the launch of the FIVB Beach World Series in November 2026, with Dubai confirmed as the founding host.
Preparations for the 40th FIVB World Congress in Punta Cana and ongoing planning for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 also formed part of the discussions.
AVC President Ramon Suzara emphasized the importance of continental alignment with global initiatives.
“The decisions taken by the FIVB Board of Administration demonstrate a clear commitment to modernizing our sport and strengthening its global appeal,” Suzara said. “For Asia, it is essential that we remain aligned with these strategic developments to ensure our athletes, competitions, and national federations continue to benefit from a more dynamic and forward-looking volleyball environment.”
The meeting concluded with confirmation that the next FIVB Board of Administration meeting will take place at Volleyball House on 7–8 May 2026.