GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, February 6, 2026. – The Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL) opened its 2026 General Assembly with the first of two working sessions in Guatemala City, focused on evaluating the activities carried out during 2025 and strengthening the development of volleyball in the region.
AFECAVOL President Félix Sabio officially opened the meeting, highlighting the organization’s sporting growth as well as the progress that consolidates Central America as one of the most dynamic and forward-looking zones within the NORCECA Confederation. He stressed that these achievements have been possible thanks to joint efforts and the constant support of NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz.
Sabio also highlighted recent milestones such as the qualification of all seven Central American countries for the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in beach volleyball, as well as Costa Rica and Guatemala qualifying in women’s and men’s indoor volleyball respectively. He also noted the growing participation of AFECAVOL teams in Continental and Pan American events. Additionally, he underscored the positive impact of the Final Four tournaments for accumulating points in the FIVB world ranking and the increase in NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour stages in the Central American region.
“I appreciate the organized and responsible work of our zone’s organizing team; I also encourage national federations to take on the commitment of hosting zonal and continental events to continue driving regional growth,” President Sabio stated.
For his part, NORCECA President Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz emphasized his continuous presence at AFECAVOL assemblies since 2001 and praised the integration of the seven Central American countries within the Confederation. He recalled that AFECAVOL has historically been one of the fastest-developing zones and highlighted that the inclusion of Central American tournaments in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour has served as a platform for all countries in the region to qualify for Santo Domingo 2026.
During the session, the presidency report and the 2025 financial report were approved with the Assembly’s backing. Among the achievements highlighted were five indoor volleyball championships, two beach volleyball championships, the events corresponding to the Central American Games, and one invitational championship, in addition to progress in the Volleyball Empowerment FIVB program and financial support received from NORCECA and the FIVB.
Reports from the various working commissions were also presented and approved, addressing proposals from the sports organization commission, technical and coaches commission, refereeing commission, beach volleyball commission, medical commission, press commission, legal commission, and the technological implementation of the Volley Station system in competitions presented by the VIS commission. Emphasis was placed on strengthening promotion, generating revenue through sports marketing, and improving broadcast quality and the digital presence of regional volleyball.
Among the decisions taken, it was established that the Central American Senior Cups will be held in odd-numbered years and will serve as qualifiers for continental championships. It was also approved that the regulations of all AFECAVOL competitions will specify which events zonal champions qualify for.
The Assembly also approved the 2026 calendar, establishing host countries, while competition dates must be finalized within ten days according to proposals from each host nation.
AFECAVOL 2026 Calendar:
-III Final Four: Men in Costa Rica and Women in Nicaragua. The qualified teams will be the top four finishers from the 2025 Central American Games. Champions will qualify for the 2027 Pan American Cup.
-U21 Championship: Men in Panama and Women in El Salvador.
-U17 Championship: Men in Panama and Women in Honduras.
-U15 Championship: Approved as an official AFECAVOL event in both genders, in line with the commitment to promote volleyball from an early age. Nicaragua will host the women’s event; the men’s host is pending.
-U17 and U19 Beach Volleyball Championships: To be held simultaneously in El Salvador.
A rotating competition calendar for the 2027 and 2028 seasons was also established.
With these agreements, the first day of the Assembly concluded, reaffirming AFECAVOL’s commitment to strengthening Central American volleyball through competition organization, technical development, and regional integration.
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