The FIVB has announced changes to two important aspects of its World Ranking system. These updates, following consultation with the World Ranking Working Group and the Volleyball Council, are designed to improve fairness, add flexibility, and support the organization`s development objectives.
The first change amends the rule regarding events happening at the same time. Previously, if two World Ranking-eligible events occurred simultaneously and involved the same team, only the event with the higher Match Weight Factor (MWF) counted towards points, with the other being entirely excluded.
Under the updated rule, both events are now included in the ranking system. However, a team participating in both overlapping events will only earn ranking points from the event with the higher MWF and the stronger position achieved in the World Ranking event table. Matches played by those specific teams in the lower-weighted competition will not count for points. Results for all other teams in both competitions will be recognized as usual.
This new approach allows more regional and continental events to influence rankings within the system while maintaining competitive integrity.
The second update introduces a broader definition of National Federation (NF) activity. In the past, federations lost 50 points after two years without participating in any World Ranking-eligible events.
Under the new definition, a federation is considered active if it takes part in any international, confederation, or regional event at senior or junior player level, for either volleyball or beach volleyball.
This revised approach removes what were seen as unnecessary penalties and better represents the full scope of a federation`s involvement in the sport.
Both updates are now effective and are part of FIVB`s continuing efforts to strengthen competition structures and support the modernization of volleyball and beach volleyball.
Oliver Wrenwick 
Finley Blackwood