SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, May 30, 2026. – The NORCECA Sports Organization Commission held a virtual session led by Commission President Ariel Sainz, addressing strategic issues related to the Olympic cycle and the planning of upcoming international events.
In his remarks, Sainz emphasized the efforts made so far and the magnitude of the work ahead: “We have prepared a lot, we have advanced, but there is still much to accomplish in an Olympic cycle that requires us to align with the FIVB. Thank you for dedicating your time to this process that demands discussion and commitment.”
The meeting reviewed the competition calendar leading up to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. It was highlighted that the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo will leave as a legacy the renovated facilities of the Ricardo Gioriber Sports Palace, immediately followed by the Women’s Olympic Qualifier. NORCECA also confirmed its participation in the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, scheduled from July 24 to August 8, with Mexico already qualified in the women’s division and Cuba in the men’s.
The Olympic qualification process in indoor and beach volleyball was also discussed. The women’s tournament will take place in the Dominican Republic and the men’s in Canada, both using the Video Challenge System. In beach volleyball, the qualifier for Los Angeles 2028 will be held in Puerto Rico, with 16 teams per gender and one pair per country.
Another relevant point was the review of FIVB regulations requiring the inclusion of a certified female coach or assistant in women’s events. NORCECA already complies with this provision, but a proposal was raised for all coaches, men and women, to hold FIVB certification, ensuring quality and equity standards across the region.
The commission advanced in structuring the 2027 calendar, with active participation from zonal presidents. For continental events, the NORCECA ranking has been reviewed to determine team eligibility.
Regarding this year’s Senior Pan American Cups, both men’s and women’s, the remaining three NORCECA slots will be awarded to qualify for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.
In his closing remarks, Ariel Sainz expressed gratitude for the members’ commitment and underscored the importance of unity: “We have many events ahead; we must guarantee quality and development for our athletes. Maintaining dialogue, communication, and unity is essential for our teams to remain visible worldwide.”
English 
Spanish