The highly anticipated drawing of lots for the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women`s tournament has officially concluded, revealing the exciting preliminary round matchups for the 24 participating nations. Held in the historic and lavish Castello Normanno-Svevo in Bari, Italy, this significant event has set the stage for the 34th edition of Europe`s premier women`s volleyball competition, charting a path toward the coveted trophy.
The draw promised and delivered several mouthwatering clashes, with intense preliminary round matches already confirmed. A unique prerogative was granted to the four co-hosting nations—Türkiye, Czechia, Azerbaijan, and Sweden—allowing each to select one opponent for their respective pools. Türkiye chose to play against Latvia in Pool A, Austria was assigned to Pool B with Czechia, Portugal will meet Azerbaijan in Pool C, while Sweden decided to challenge Montenegro in Pool D.
Pool A: Rematches and Rivalries
Pool A, set to be played in Istanbul, will feature a captivating rematch from the previous edition`s quarter-finals, as co-hosts Türkiye are pitted against Poland. This highlight match promises an electric atmosphere in the preliminary stage. Another familiar clash will see Poland take on Germany, whom they defeated 3-0 in the Round of 16 in 2023. Slovenia and Hungary complete Pool A, ensuring a fiercely contested group.
Pool B: Serbian Dominance and Czech Hopes
In Pool B, which will unfold in Brno, the formidable runners-up of the CEV EuroVolley Women 2023, Serbia, join Czechia, Austria, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Greece. Serbia stands as a clear favorite to secure the top spot and advance deep into the competition. Co-hosts Czechia will also be aiming to rekindle the magic of their fantastic 2023 campaign, where their journey concluded with a 1:3 quarter-final loss to Serbia, and will be eager for a strong showing on home ground.
Pool C: Dutch Ambitions Amidst Strong Opposition
The bronze medalists from the 2023 edition, the Netherlands, will compete in Pool C alongside Azerbaijan, Portugal, Belgium, Romania, and Spain. Having suffered only a single defeat and dropping just four sets in the previous tournament, the Netherlands will undoubtedly be targeting another commanding pool victory. However, they face stiff competition from a diverse group of opponents, promising an engaging battle for supremacy.
An overview of the finalized pool composition for the CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women`s tournament.
Pool D: Italian Quest for European Glory
Reigning world and Olympic champions, Italy, who boast an impressive undefeated record spanning over a year, have been drawn into Pool D. They are set to face co-hosts Sweden, Montenegro, France, Slovakia, and Croatia. Italy previously showcased their dominance by eliminating France with a commanding 3:0 win in the 2023 quarter-finals. Building on their recent form, which has brought two gold medals in major international competitions, Italy will be looking to improve upon their fourth-place finish at the CEV EuroVolley 2023 Women and add the European title to their illustrious collection.
Advancing to the Knockout Stage
The tournament format specifies that the top four teams from each preliminary pool will successfully advance to the Round of 16. Conversely, the teams finishing in the last two positions within their respective pools – totaling eight teams – will face elimination and conclude their EuroVolley 2026 campaign.
Relive the excitement of the official CEV EuroVolley 2026 Women Drawing of Lots ceremony.
CEV EuroVolley 2026 – Official Pool Lineup
Below is the complete breakdown of the pools:
- Pool A: Türkiye, Latvia, Poland, Germany, Slovenia, Hungary
- Pool B: Czechia, Austria, Serbia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Greece
- Pool C: Azerbaijan, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Spain
- Pool D: Sweden, Montenegro, Italy, France, Slovakia, Croatia
#EuroVolleyW
Finley Blackwood