The European team will replace their neighbors from the Netherlands.
The Belgian men’s national volleyball team will participate in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) for the first time in 2026. The national federation officially confirmed the team’s participation after Belgium earned the spot as the highest-ranked team among those not yet qualified in the FIVB men’s world rankings at the conclusion of the 2025 Nations League.
Thus, in 2026, Belgium will be represented in the most prestigious annual volleyball tournament by both its men’s and women’s teams. The women’s team returned to VNL participation this season.
In the next edition, Belgium will take the place of the Netherlands, who finished last in the 2025 VNL standings and were relegated.
Currently, Belgium is ranked 17th in the world with 183.24 points, slightly ahead of their closest competitor, Finland, who are 18th with 178.94 points after winning the 2025 Golden European League.
At the end of the 2024 season, the “Red Dragons” were the highest-ranked team among those not participating in VNL, ahead of the Czech Republic by nearly 20 points. This year, Belgium did not play in the European League and maintained its ranking. Finland, however, closed the gap, earning almost 21 points with a successful European tournament performance. The Finns lost only one match – at home against Greece – but that defeat cost them a spot in VNL 2026, benefiting Belgium.
Under Italian coach Emanuele Zanini and with leaders like Sam Deroo, Ferre Reggers, Stijn D’Hulst, Mathijs Desmet, and Wout D’Heer, Belgium will play several EuroVolley 2026 qualifying matches this month. Next month, they will also participate in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball World Championship, starting on September 12 in the Philippines.
