By Daniel Nyeko
Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) is shifting the landscape of international volleyball. Following a series of high level meetings in Lausanne, Switzerland, the FIVB Board of Administration has officially approved a suite of rules, regulations, and procedure tests for the 2026 international season.
These changes are aligned with the FIVB’s “Strategic Vision 2032” and aim to modernize the sport, increase tactical depth, and improve the experience for both fans and athletes.
Here is an expansion of the key pillars in the new regulations.
1. Roster and substitution flexibility
This is the most immediate impact on team management, involving a shift in how coaches can utilize the bench.
(a) Expanded substitutions. The limit of substitutions per set has increased from 6 to 8. This allows coaches to perform double substitutions (swapping the setter and opposite) more freely or bring in defensive or serving setters multiple times without fear of running out of moves.
(b) Roster size. Teams can now register between 12 and 14 players for FIVB competitions.
(c) Libero freedom. Teams must have at least one Libero, but they can now nominate two. Vitally, some experimental tests allow for more flexibility in how the Libero is used, including the potential for the Libero to serve or set from the front row under specific conditions.
2. Dynamic gameplay and flow rules
The FIVB is moving towards reducing dead time and technical whistle blows that confuse fans or stall the momentum of a rally.
(a) Reception alignment. Previously, players had to be strictly in their zones until the ball was served. In 2026, the receiving team only needs to be in position at the moment of the referee’s whistle. Once the server starts the motion, players can begin moving to their defensive spots, allowing creativity and more aggressive setups.
(b) The ceiling rule. If the ball hits the ceiling or venue structures on the first or second touch but stays on your side and it is playable, then the rally continues. This prevents points from being lost due to low gym height and encourages impossible saves.
(c) Refining ball contacts. The FIVB is being more lenient on double contacts during the second touch (setting), provided the ball stays on the same side. However, they are becoming stricter on lifts and carries during attacks to ensure the game remains explosive and clean.
3. Technology and the challenge system
To improve the experience for fans and athletes, the video review process is getting a “quality of life” update.
(a) Mid rally “bookmarks”. A new system allows teams to mark a potential fault, like a net touch, during a long rally. If they lose the point, they can then officially challenge that specific moment without having to remember the exact timing.
(b) Reduced delays. To keep the game moving, coaches are restricted from using the challenge time as an unofficial timeout. Referees will also use fewer whistles for obvious calls that are clearly visible on the stadium or arena screens.
Strategic Vision 2032
This article is not just about rules. It is also about the “Together as One” roadmap. The world volleyball governing body FIVB aims by 2032 to move from a political sports body to a professional global entertainment product.
The key goals are:
Professionalism: Standardizing tournament quality across all continents.
Mass participation: Doubling the global fan base, which currently stands at 800 million, by making the game easier to follow and more accessible through digital platforms.
Many of these rules will debut in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) and the U17 World Championship as tests before being permanently added to the official rulebook.
