Photo: Getty Images

The anticipation for the Paris 2024 Olympic volleyball tournaments is reaching a fever pitch as the draw for the pools in both the men's and women's categories is set to take place over the next two weeks.

Women's Volleyball Draw in Bangkok

On June 19, Bangkok, Thailand, will host the draw for the 12 women's national teams that have earned their spots in the Games. The event is scheduled for 18:00 local time (11:00 GMT). The women's qualification period concludes just days earlier on June 16, marking the end of the VNL 2024 Preliminary Phase.

Currently, France, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Poland, Serbia, Türkiye, and the United States have secured their places in the tournament.

"This draw is crucial as it sets the stage for the teams' paths in the Olympics," said a Volleyball World spokesperson.

Men's Volleyball Draw in Łódź

The spotlight then shifts to Łódź, Poland, on June 26, where the men's draw will occur at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT). The men's qualification period wraps up on June 23, following the completion of the VNL 2024 Preliminary Phase.

Hosts France, along with Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, Poland, and the United States, are already assured of their participation in the Paris 2024 Games.

The Draw Process

After the drawing of lots, each gender's 12 national teams will be divided into three pools of four participants. France, as the host country, will take the top spot in Pool A for both genders. The top positions in Pools B and C will be occupied by the highest-ranked qualified teams according to the FIVB Volleyball World Rankings as of June 17 for the women and June 24 for the men.

The draw will proceed in three stages, with teams ranked from fourth to sixth, seventh to ninth, and tenth to twelfth being allocated to their respective pools using the serpentine system.

In pool play, teams will face each of their three opponents once. The top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stages. The tournament will then adopt a single-elimination format starting from the quarterfinals.

What to Expect

The drawing of lots will be streamed live on Volleyball World's YouTube channel, allowing fans worldwide to witness the formation of the pools. This event is more than just a formality; it sets the stage for the drama and excitement that will unfold in Paris next summer.

As the world eagerly awaits the results, the road to Olympic glory begins to take shape. Who will rise to the occasion and etch their names in the annals of volleyball history? Only time will tell.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova