Omaha will host eight nations, including top-ranked Italy, at the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup — and the city could also see Team USA.
Tournament organizers released pool assignments Monday during a draw webcast hosted by Olympic gold medalist Karch Kiraly. The 32 qualified nations were split into eight pools of four, and two of those pools will play at CHI Health Center.
Pool A consists of No. 1 Italy, Belgium, Colombia and Puerto Rico. Pool F includes No. 6 Japan, Russia, Argentina and Bulgaria.
Pool play in Omaha runs Aug. 20-25. CHI Health Center will also host Round of 16 matches.
Fourth-ranked Team USA opens play in Orlando, Florida, in a pool with Thailand, Mexico and Greece. According to CHI Health Center, if the U.S. finishes in the top two of its pool, it will play its Round of 16 match in Omaha.
The tournament runs Aug. 20 through Sept. 5 across five host cities in the United States and Canada: Omaha, Orlando, Anaheim, Montreal and Quebec City. It is the first time the United States and Canada have co-hosted the event. The quarterfinals, semifinals and medal matches will be played at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, which will host volleyball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The World Cup also serves as a qualifier for those games. The three highest-finishing teams not already qualified will earn Olympic berths.
Omaha was named a host city in September. The city is home to two professional women’s volleyball teams and has hosted several NCAA volleyball championships at CHI Health Center.
Organizers say ticket information is coming soon.