Fédération Internationale de Volleyball

The International Volleyball Federation (Fédération Internationale de Volleyball), known by the acronym FIVB, is the main group that takes care of all kinds of volleyball. It helps make the rules, organizes big games, and grows the sport all over the world. The FIVB works with countries and areas to make sure games are fair and to make volleyball more popular.

Its main office is in Lausanne, Switzerland, a city with many international sports groups. The current leader of the FIVB is Fabio Azevedo from Brazil. He works with teams and players to make the sport better.

The FIVB has helped make volleyball a favorite sport around the world. It organizes big events like the FIVB Volleyball World Championship and helps young players learn and compete at the best levels. Because of the FIVB, volleyball is now played by millions of people in many countries.

History

Before the FIVB was created, volleyball was managed by the International Amateur Handball Federation. The FIVB started in France in April 1947. Back then, many European countries wanted a special group just for volleyball. They met in 1947, and fourteen countries from five continents agreed to create the FIVB. A man named Paul Libaud from France became the first leader.

The first big volleyball event, the World Championship, happened in 1949. A tournament just for women started in 1952. In 1964, volleyball became an Olympic sport. By then, 89 countries were part of the FIVB. In 1969, they added another event called the World Cup.

In 1984, Rubén Acosta Hernandez from Mexico became the new leader, and the FIVB moved its office from Paris, France to Lausanne, Switzerland. Under his leadership, they added new competitions and made volleyball more popular all over the world. In 2008, Wei Jizhong from China took over as leader.

As of 2020^[update], the FIVB had 222 member countries. In 2022, because of the conflict in Ukraine, the FIVB stopped all Russian teams and athletes from taking part in its events.

Tournaments

Indoor

Beach

Some big beach volleyball events include the Olympic Games, held every four years since 1996, and the World Championship, held every two years since 1997. There is also the World Tour every year, starting in 1989. Other events are the Youth Olympic Games, U23 World Championships, U21 World Championships, U19 World Championships, and U17 World Championships, held regularly.

The FIVB helps plan and organize volleyball events worldwide. They work with other groups to set rules, decide teams, and choose where games happen. They support volleyball in places where it isn’t very popular, helping with training and equipment. The FIVB holds workshops and courses for coaches, referees, and teachers.

They also work to make volleyball more popular by finding media partners and sponsors. The FIVB makes sure the rules are the same everywhere and handles important issues like fair play and player transfers. They publish the FIVB World Rankings, which help decide team placements in international competitions.

Current champions

Nations

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball has champions in many volleyball nations.

Clubs

There are also champions for volleyball clubs.

Beach volleyball

Beach volleyball has its own champions too.

Intercontinental events

There are events where teams from many parts of the world compete.

Under-age events

There are also events for teams made up of younger players.

Rankings

Further information: FIVB Senior World Rankings

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) keeps track of how good countries are at volleyball. This is called the Senior World Rankings. Countries earn points by how they do in big tournaments. The rankings show which countries are the best at volleyball right now.

Other events

The FIVB helps run volleyball at big regional competitions. These include the Asian Games, European Games, Pan American Games, Lusophony Games, and All-Africa Games.

Organization

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) is the main group that looks after volleyball all over the world. It holds a World Congress every two years where members choose the President and other leaders.

The Board of Administration manages the FIVB's work, making sure teams and groups work well together. There is also an Executive Committee that helps with important tasks.

The FIVB has groups to look after different areas like rules, money, and health. It also looks after five big parts of the world, each with its own volleyball group:

• Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) in Asia and Oceania
• Confederación Sudamericana de Voleibol (CSV) in South America
• African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB) in Africa
• European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) in Europe
• North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) in North America

Each of these parts helps organize volleyball in their own areas.

Further information: Category:National members of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball

FIVB Heroes

The "FIVB Heroes" is an official campaign by the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball. It shows the amazing skills of volleyball players and helps more people around the world enjoy the sport. The campaign includes 33 volleyball players and 29 beach volleyball players from 19 different countries. They were chosen because they did very well in their games.

FIVB presidents

The International Volleyball Federation, called the FIVB, has had many leaders. Paul Libaud from France was leader from 1947 to 1984. Rubén Acosta Hernández from Mexico led from 1984 to 2008. Wei Jizhong from China was president from 2008 to 2012. Ary Graça from Brazil served from 2012 to 2024. Now, Fabio Azevedo from Brazil is the president, starting in 2024 and still leading today.

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