16 Teams Compete for Asian Beach Volleyball Glory in Shangluo

The 2026 AVC Asia Beach Volleyball Championship is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from September 2-6. This prestigious event will host 24 international teams, all competing for the Asian title and a coveted spot in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Sixteen of these teams benefit from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, which aims to enhance the performance of emerging volleyball nations.

Participating teams hail from a diverse range of countries, including:

  • Australia
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • Japan
  • Lebanon
  • New Zealand
  • Oman
  • The Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Uzbekistan

The tournament format consists of dividing the teams into six pools of four. The top two teams from each pool, along with the best third-placed teams, advance to the elimination rounds. The final medal matches will determine the winners, who will not only secure the Asian title but also earn a spot in the Los Angeles Olympics.

China has high expectations for its teams, including Jiaxin Wu & Chaowei Zhou and Yanwei Wang & Hongjun Du. Other strong contenders are Qatar’s Cherif Younousse & Ahmed Tijan and Australia’s Mark Nicolaidis & Izac Carracher, who look to capitalize on their past successes. The tournament is a testament to FIVB's commitment to advancing Beach Volleyball worldwide, providing specialized support focused on coaching and development for each team.

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