The 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships came to a spectacular conclusion in Hangzhou, China, after eight unforgettable days of world-class competition, emotional moments and outstanding displays of athletic excellence.
Sixteen of the world’s best men’s teams gathered in Hangzhou with one goal in mind: becoming world champions. By the end of an extraordinary tournament, it was Iran who once again stood at the top of the podium, claiming a record-extending ninth World Championship title.
In a familiar final that has become one of the greatest rivalries in Para sport, Iran defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-1. Bosnia and Herzegovina once again demonstrated why they remain among the sport’s elite, pushing the champions throughout an entertaining final before taking home another well-deserved silver medal.
The bronze medal belonged to Kazakhstan, who completed a historic tournament by defeating Brazil in a thrilling five-set battle. It marked Kazakhstan’s first-ever medal at a Sitting Volleyball World Championship and another sign of the growing competitiveness across the global game.
Beyond the medals, Hangzhou also represented the first step on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. With hosts USA already qualified through their position as LA28 hosts, the available qualification places were secured by world champions Iran and runners-up Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Men’s Final Standings
🥇 1. Iran (World Champions | Qualified for LA28)
🥈 2. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Qualified for LA28)
🥉 3. Kazakhstan
4. Brazil
5. USA (Qualified for LA28 as host nation)
6. Germany
7. Egypt
8. Rwanda
9. Ukraine
10. Poland
11. Croatia
12. Iraq
13. China
14. Thailand
15. Canada
16. Japan
LA28 Qualification
The men’s tournament also marked the beginning of Paralympic qualification for LA28. With host nation USA already qualified after reaching the top eight, the two qualification places available through the World Championships were secured by Iran, as world champions, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as runners-up.
Men’s Dream Team Awards
• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Gustavo Henrique de Jesus (Brazil)
• Best Spiker: Safet Alibašić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
• Best Setter: Davoud Alipourian (Iran)
• Best Server: Perdebay Namuratov (Kazakhstan)
• Best Receiver: Mahdi Babadi (Iran)
• Best Blocker: Gustavo Henrique de Jesus (Brazil)
• Best Libero: Stlyngys Medeuov (Kazakhstan)
Congratulations to Iran on another remarkable world title and to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan, and every nation that competed in Hangzhou. Thank you to all athletes, coaches, officials, classifiers, volunteers, organisers, partners, and supporters for making the 2026 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships an outstanding showcase of our sport. We look forward to seeing the journey continue on the road to LA28.