UPDATE: As of June 25 2025
Two 2025 Zonal Sitting Volleyball Championships have been completed, with two more to come in the next couple of months!
The ParaVolley Pan America Zonals wrapped up on May 28, and saw both Brazilian teams emerge victorious.
- In the women’s division, Brazil defeated USA for the gold, with Canada finishing in the bronze medal position. As a result of the USA earning a 2026 World Championship slot automatically as host of LA28 and winner of Paris 2024, Brazil and Canada earned the two PVPA 2026 Women’s World Championship berths.
- The men’s division saw the same podium, with Brazil defeating USA for gold in 5 sets, and Canada defeating Argentina for bronze. Similarly to the women, the USA men earned a 2026 World Championship slot automatically as host of LA28, so Brazil and Canada earned the two PVPA 2026 Men’s World Championship berths.
The ParaVolley Asia Oceania Zonals wrapped up on June 14, with the Chinese women’s team and the Kazakhstan men’s team winning gold.
- In the women’s division, China defeated I R Iran for the gold, while Japan earned the bronze medal over Thailand. As a result of China earning a 2026 World Championship slot automatically as host, I R Iran and Japan earned the two PVAO 2026 Women’s World Championship berths.
- The men’s division saw two reverse sweeps for the medals. Kazakhstan defeated China for gold in a thrilling 5-set match, and Thailand was victorious over Japan for bronze, again in 5 sets. As the victor, Kazakhstan earned a 2026 World Championship berth, and as China has an automatic slot as host, Thailand earned a 2026 Men’s World Championship berth as a result of their bronze-medal finish.
2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championships Qualification Pathway
The World ParaVolley Sport Department is pleased to announce the qualification pathway for the 2026 Sitting ParaVolley (Sitting Volleyball) World Championships for Men and Women that will be held in Hangzhou, China in the period 10 – 17 July 2026.
A total of 32 teams (16 Men and 16 Women) will qualify to the premier event of the World ParaVolley. The four 2025 Zone Championships will be providing over half of the available slots per gender.
As of June 25 2025
MEN
|
Slots |
||||
| Host |
1 |
CHN |
– |
– |
| Paris 2024 Gold Medallist |
1 |
IRI |
– |
– |
| LA2028 Host |
1 |
USA |
– |
– |
| 2025 PVPA Zonal Championships |
2 |
BRA |
CAN |
– |
| 2025 PVAO Zonal Championships |
2 |
KAZ |
THA |
– |
| 2025 PVA Zonal Championships |
2 |
|
|
– |
| 2025 PVE Zonal Championships |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2025 World Cup |
2 |
|
|
– |
| Next Highest World Ranked Teams, not already qualified as of 31/12/2025 |
2 |
|
|
– |
| TOTAL |
16 |
|
|
WOMEN
| Slots | ||||
| Host |
1 |
CHN |
– |
– |
| Paris 2024 Gold Medallist |
0 |
USA |
– |
– |
| LA2028 Host |
1 |
USA |
– |
– |
| 2025 PVPA Zonal Championships |
2 |
BRA |
CAN |
– |
| 2025 PVAO Zonal Championships |
2 |
IRI |
JPN |
– |
| 2025 PVA Zonal Championships |
2 |
|
|
– |
| 2025 PVE Zonal Championships |
3 |
|
|
|
| 2025 World Cup |
2 |
|
|
– |
| Next Highest World Ranked Teams, not already qualified as of 31/12/2025 |
3 |
|
|
|
| TOTAL |
16 |
All athletes who play at events that lead into Paralympic Games Qualification events or are Paralympic Games Qualification events must hold a passport for the country they represent.
If any of the above events are not held in 2025, slots will be allocated as follows:
- Zonal Championships – Highest ranked teams from the respective Zone, based on WPV World Rankings as at 31/12/2025,
- World Cup – Next highest ranked teams, not yet qualified based on WPV World Rankings as at 31/12/2025.