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North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation
View on WikipediaThe North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) is the international governing body for the sport of volleyball in Northern America, Central America, and the Caribbean. NORCECA is the continental confederation that represents its 35 member associations at the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) level. It also has six associate members: Bonaire, Saba, Saint Martin, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The confederation is responsible for, among other things, the staging of Olympic and World Championship zone qualification tournaments, as well as continental championships for both men and women in indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. In 2022, NORCECA celebrated its fifty-fourth (54th) anniversary.
Key Information
Origins and expansion
[edit]During the 1966 Caribbean and Central American Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the idea of the NORCECA concept was born. At that time it was known as the Caribbean and Central American Zone. The development of the NORCECA Confederation came from the visionary mind of today’s FIVB President, Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernández, in conjunction with several other sportsmen from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti. NORCECA was formally created by the FIVB and its President, Mr. Paul Liband in 1968, when Canada and the United States of America joined the confederation. Its first Senior Championship was held in Mexico from August 4–9, 1969 and the inaugural game featured Haiti vs. Panama, with Haiti winning 3-0. NORCECA’s first Junior Championship was staged in 1980.
NORCECA's presidents
[edit]- Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernández (1968–1984)
- Lcdo. Libertario Pérez, Esq. (1984–1988)
- Lcdo. Luis R. Mendoza, Esq. (1988–2001)
- Lic. Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz (2001–present)
Affiliated federations
[edit]AFECAVOL (Asociación de Federaciones CentroAmericanas de Voleibol)
[edit]| Code | Nation | Federation |
|---|---|---|
| BIZ | Belize Volleyball Association | |
| CRC | Federación Costarricense de Voleibol | |
| ESA | Federación Salvadoreña de Voleibol | |
| GUA | Federación Guatemalteca de Voleibol | |
| HON | Federación Hondureña de Voleibol | |
| NCA | Federación Nicaragüense de Voleibol | |
| PAN | Federación Panameña de Voleibol |
CAZOVA (Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association)
[edit]| Code | Nation | Federation |
|---|---|---|
| ARU | Aruba Volleyball Association | |
| BAH | Bahamas Volleyball Association | |
| BAR | Barbados Volleyball Association | |
| BON | Bonairiaanse Volleyball Bond | |
| CAY | Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation | |
| CUW | Curaçaose Volleyball Bond | |
| GDP | Ligue de Guadeloupe de Volley-Ball | |
| HAI | Haiti Volleyball Association | |
| JAM | Jamaica Volleyball Association | |
| MQE | Ligue de Martinique de Volley-Ball | |
| SUR | Surinaamse Volleyball Bond | |
| TRI | Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation | |
| TCI | Turks and Caicos Volleyball Association | |
| ISV | United States Virgin Island Volleyball Association |
ECVA (Eastern Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association)
[edit]| Code | Nation | Federation |
|---|---|---|
| AGU | Anguilla Volleyball Association | |
| ANT | Antigua and Barbuda Volleyball Association | |
| BER | Bermuda Volleyball Association | |
| IVB | British Virgin Islands Volleyball Association | |
| DMA | Dominica Volleyball Association | |
| GRN | Grenada Volleyball Association | |
| MSR | Montserrat Volleyball Federation | |
| SAB | Saba Volleyball Association | |
| SKN | St. Kitts & Nevis Volleyball Federation | |
| LCA | St. Lucia Volleyball Association | |
| MAF | Ligue de Volley-Ball de Saint-Martin | |
| VIN | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Volleyball Association | |
| EUX | Sint Eustatius Volleyball Association | |
| SXM | Sint Maarten Volleyball Association |
NCVA (North Central Americas Volleyball Association)
[edit]| Code | Nation | Federation |
|---|---|---|
| CAN | Volleyball Canada | |
| CUB | Federación Cubana de Voleibol | |
| DOM | Confederación Dominicana de Voleibol | |
| MEX | Federación Mexicana de Voleibol | |
| PUR | Federación Puertorriqueña de Voleibol | |
| USA | United States Volleyball Association |
Note:
* Associate members of NORCECA.
FIVB World Rankings
[edit]
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Tournaments
[edit]Organised entirely by NORCECA
[edit]- Men's NORCECA Volleyball Championship (men)
- Women's NORCECA Volleyball Championship (women)
- Men's Junior NORCECA Volleyball Championship (men)
- Women's Junior NORCECA Volleyball Championship (women)
- Boys' Youth NORCECA Volleyball Championship (men)
- Girls' Youth NORCECA Volleyball Championship (women)
- NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit (men and women)
Organised alongside the CSV
[edit]- Pan-American Games (men and woman)
- Men's Pan-American Volleyball Cup (men)
- Women's Pan-American Volleyball Cup (women)
- Men's Junior Pan-American Volleyball Cup (men)
- Women's Junior Pan-American Volleyball Cup (women)
- Boys' Youth Pan-American Volleyball Cup (men)
- Girls' Youth Pan-American Volleyball Cup (women)
- Final Four Women’s Volleyball Cup (women)
Current champions
[edit]| Senior Pan-American Cup (M / W) |
U23 Pan-American Cup (M / W) |
Junior Pan-American Cup (M / W) |
Youth Pan-American Cup (M / W) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | ||||
| Women |
Title holders
[edit]Volleyball
[edit]| Championship | Final Four | U–21 | U–19 | U–17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | (2023) |
(2025) |
(2024) |
(2024) |
TBD (2025) |
| Women | (2023) |
(2025) |
(2024) |
(2024) |
TBD (2025) |
Sponsors
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The FIVB World Ranking". FIVB. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 5 October 2025.
- ^ "The FIVB Women's World Ranking". FIVB. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Origins
The origins of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) can be traced to the 1966 Caribbean and Central American Games held in [San Juan, Puerto Rico](/page/San Juan,_Puerto_Rico), where the concept for a regional governing body emerged during discussions among volleyball representatives. Key figures, including Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernández from Mexico and sports officials from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, envisioned a unified zone to promote and organize volleyball across the region, initially known as the Caribbean and Central American Zone. This foundational meeting on August 14, 1966, established NORCECA as a non-governmental continental multinational sports organization dedicated to fostering the sport's development.[1] NORCECA was formally founded in 1968 under the auspices of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), with its first president, Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernández, leading the effort to integrate North American nations into the fold. NORCECA was formed in 1968 with the inclusion of Canada and the United States alongside existing federations from Mexico, Cuba, and various Caribbean and Central American nations, marking the confederation's expansion from its Central American and Caribbean roots to encompass a broader North American scope. As FIVB's designated zonal body for the region, NORCECA was tasked with coordinating continental competitions, development programs, and representation in international events, ensuring alignment with global volleyball standards.[1] The confederation's early organizational structure centered on the Congress as its supreme authority, responsible for setting policies, electing leadership, and approving key decisions, while the Board of Administration handled day-to-day operations and implementation of Congress directives. This framework, approved by the FIVB, positioned NORCECA to effectively govern volleyball across its diverse membership. The first official event under NORCECA's banner was the Senior Men's Championship, held from August 4 to 9, 1969, in Mexico City, which opened with Haiti defeating Panama 3-0, and Cuba emerged as the champion, signaling the start of competitive regional play. Over time, NORCECA has grown to include 41 member federations, reflecting its enduring impact on the sport.[1][8]Expansion and Key Milestones
Following its establishment in 1968 with the initial federations—Canada, Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States—NORCECA experienced steady growth, reflecting the increasing interest in volleyball across the Americas. By the early 2000s, the confederation had expanded to 27 member federations, as noted during its 2002 Congress in Santo Domingo. This momentum continued, reaching 35 members by the time of its 35th anniversary celebrations in 2003, incorporating additional nations from Central America and the Caribbean to foster broader regional participation. As of November 2025, NORCECA includes 41 affiliated national volleyball federations, with recent additions such as those from Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands in 2009 strengthening its Caribbean presence.[1][3][9] NORCECA's territorial scope spans Northern America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States), Central America (seven countries: Belize, Costa Rica, [El Salvador](/page/El Salvador), Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama), and the Caribbean (islands and nations, including Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago), organized into four zones—NCVA (6 federations), AFECAVOL (7), ECVA (13), and CAZOVA (15)—totaling 41 member federations and emphasizing inclusivity, enabling smaller territories to engage in continental development programs and competitions. The inclusion of early Caribbean members like the Bahamas in 1968 and Suriname in 1976 laid the foundation for this diverse network.[9] Significant milestones underscore NORCECA's evolution, including the inaugural Women's Championship in 1973, hosted in Tijuana, Mexico, where Cuba defeated Canada in the final to promote gender equity in the sport. The launch of the first Junior Championship in 1980 in Calgary, Canada, marked a pivotal step in youth engagement, with Canada claiming gold over Cuba. In 2018, the confederation reflected on its 50th anniversary, highlighting decades of progress in expanding volleyball's reach and infrastructure across the region. These developments have directly enhanced NORCECA's influence within the FIVB, securing additional qualification pathways for member teams to global events like the Olympics and World Championships—for example, continental winners and top performers now routinely earn berths, increasing the region's global representation from one to multiple spots in recent cycles.[1][10][11]Organizational Structure
Leadership and Presidents
The leadership of the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) is structured around a Board of Administration and an Executive Committee, with the President serving as the chief executive officer responsible for overseeing strategic direction, international relations, and operational management. The President chairs both bodies and represents NORCECA in global forums such as the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB). Elections for the President and other key positions occur every four years during the biennial NORCECA Congress, where member federations vote to ensure democratic governance. The current term spans 2024-2028, following the most recent Congress in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.[1][2][12] NORCECA has had four presidents since its founding, each contributing to its institutional growth and regional focus.| President | Tenure | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Rubén Acosta Hernández (Mexico) | 1968–1984 | As the founder and first president, he established NORCECA's foundational framework in collaboration with the FIVB, including its official recognition and initial organizational setup; his efforts facilitated NORCECA's seamless integration into the global volleyball governance structure, paving the way for his subsequent election as FIVB President in 1984.[1][13] |
| Libertario Pérez (Puerto Rico) | 1984–1988 | He maintained continuity in NORCECA's early development following the founder's tenure, focusing on administrative stability during a transitional period for the confederation.[1] |
| Luis R. Mendoza (Puerto Rico) | 1988–2001 | During his extended leadership, he strengthened NORCECA's internal commissions and legal frameworks, including his roles in FIVB's Legal and Rules of the Game Commissions, which supported regional policy alignment; he was honored posthumously in 2013 for his long-term service to volleyball governance.[1][14] |
| Lic. Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz (Dominican Republic) | 2001–present | Re-elected unanimously in July 2024 for the 2024-2028 term, he has driven NORCECA's modernization efforts, including enhanced digital communication strategies like social media integration for event promotion since 2015 and talent development programs; notable initiatives under his leadership include the 2025 International Coaches Courses at the NORCECA-FIVB Regional Development Center in the Dominican Republic, which trained over 40 coaches from multiple countries to boost technical expertise across the region.[1][12][15] |
| Position | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| President | Lic. Cristóbal Marte Hoffiz | Dominican Republic |
| First Executive Vice-President | Lic. Ariel Sainz Rodriguez | Cuba |
| Second Executive Vice-President | Mrs. Sabinah Garcia | British Virgin Islands |
| Secretary General | Lic. Carlos Enriques Santis Rangel | Guatemala |
| Treasurer | Mr. Wilbur Harrigan | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Executive Vice-Presidents (Zone Representatives) | Lic. Alejandrina Mirey Luis Hernandez (Cuba); Dr. Cesar Heberto Trabanco (Puerto Rico); Dr. Jesus Perales Navarro (Mexico); Mr. Mark Eckert (Canada); Dr. Felix Ambrosio Sabio Gonzalez (Honduras); Mr. Mustaque Mohammed (Trinidad and Tobago); Mr. Glenn Quinlan (St. Kitts and Nevis) | Various |
| Board Members (selected) | Ing. Bertha Cuadra Cuadra (Nicaragua); Mr. Kennedy McGowan ([Cayman Islands](/page/Cayman Islands)); Ms. Jaqueline Cowan (Jamaica); Ms. Aratelde Caceres H. (Dominican Republic); Ms. Margareth Graham (Haiti) | Various |
Affiliated Federations and Zones
The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) consists of 41 affiliated federations, comprising 35 full member associations and 6 associate members, as of 2025, each tasked with overseeing domestic volleyball governance, including player development, competitions, and infrastructure within their countries or territories.[9] These federations span North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, reflecting the confederation's broad geographic mandate to promote the sport across diverse cultural and economic contexts. To enhance regional efficiency, NORCECA organizes its members into four sub-zones: the North and Central America Volleyball Zonal Association (NCVA), the Association of Central American Federations of Volleyball (AFECAVOL), the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA), and the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA).[9] Each sub-zone focuses on localized coordination, aligning with NORCECA's overarching goals of fostering talent and ensuring equitable participation. The structure has evolved to include 41 affiliates, marking an expansion from 35 full members in prior years, with notable growth in Caribbean affiliations through the addition of smaller island nations and territories.[9] The sub-zones coordinate regional qualifiers for NORCECA and FIVB events, while spearheading development initiatives such as coaching clinics, youth academies, and infrastructure support, all backed by NORCECA resources. For example, AFECAVOL manages Central American-specific tournaments like the XV AFECAVOL U19 Women's Central American Championship, hosted in San Salvador, El Salvador, from November 11 to 15, 2025, featuring teams from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.[16]| Sub-Zone | Geographic Coverage | Number of Federations | Key Member Federations |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCVA | North and Central America, select Caribbean | 6 | Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, United States[9] |
| AFECAVOL | Central America | 7 | Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama[9] |
| ECVA | Eastern Caribbean | 14 | Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sint Eustatius, Saba, Sint Maarten, British Virgin Islands, French Saint Martin[9] |
| CAZOVA | Caribbean | 14 | Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Virgin Islands[9] |
Competitions
Tournaments Organized by NORCECA
The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) organizes a range of indoor and beach volleyball tournaments for senior, youth, and junior national teams across its 35 member federations, serving as key qualifiers for Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) world events such as the Olympics and World Championships. These competitions follow standardized formats, typically featuring preliminary round-robin pools followed by knockout playoffs to determine continental champions and allocation spots.[1][17] NORCECA's flagship senior event, the NORCECA Continental Volleyball Championship, began in 1969 with its inaugural edition hosted in Mexico from August 4 to 9, where Haiti defeated Panama 3-0 in the opening match. Held biennially and separately for men's and women's teams, the tournament qualifies the top performers—usually the gold and silver medalists—for FIVB senior World Championships and Olympic qualification pathways. Initially focused on men's competition, the championship expanded to include dedicated women's events shortly thereafter, reflecting NORCECA's growing emphasis on gender inclusivity by the early 1970s.[1][18] Youth and junior championships form a cornerstone of NORCECA's development pipeline, with events for under-17, under-19, and under-21 age groups introduced starting in 1980 for juniors and evolving to include younger categories over time. These continental championships employ round-robin group stages leading to semifinals and finals, qualifying top teams for FIVB youth World Championships; for instance, the 2025 Girls' U17 Continental Championship, held November 4-9 in San José, Costa Rica, saw the United States claim gold and secure qualification for the 2026 FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship. Similar structures apply to U19 and U21 events, such as the XV AFECAVOL U19 Women's Central American Championship in El Salvador from November 11-15, 2025, where Costa Rica defeated Nicaragua 3-2 in the final to win their third consecutive title, fostering regional talent progression.[1][19][20] The NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Tour, launched in the early 2000s, operates as an annual circuit with multiple stages across host countries, awarding ranking points and qualification berths to the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour and World Championships. Events feature pool play and elimination rounds for men's and women's pairs, with the tour's expansion by the 2010s integrating it fully into NORCECA's inclusive programming alongside indoor disciplines.[21][22] Additional senior-level tournaments include the annual Pan American Cup, which debuted in the late 2000s and now runs editions like the XXII Women's event in Colima, Mexico, in August 2025, using a pool-to-playoff format to promote competitive depth. NORCECA also hosts compact Final Four and Final Six invitational tournaments for elite teams, such as the Women's Final Four in July 2025 in Puerto Rico, where semifinals and a final determine the winner in a high-stakes, single-elimination setup. Overall, NORCECA's tournament portfolio has evolved from a men-only senior focus in 1969 to a comprehensive suite by the 1980s, incorporating women's, youth, and beach events to align with FIVB standards and regional growth.[1]Joint Tournaments with Other Confederations
The volleyball competitions at the Pan American Games represent a primary joint endeavor between NORCECA and the South American Volleyball Confederation (CSV), co-managed under the auspices of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) since the sport's inclusion in 1955. These quadrennial events bring together national teams from across the Americas, encompassing both NORCECA and CSV member nations, to compete in men's and women's indoor volleyball tournaments typically featuring 8 teams per gender. The 2023 edition in Santiago, Chile, exemplified this collaboration, with participating teams including powerhouses from both confederations such as Brazil and Argentina (CSV) alongside the United States and Dominican Republic (NORCECA). The next iteration is scheduled for 2027 in Lima, Peru, continuing the tradition of fostering continental competition.[23][24] NORCECA and CSV also collaborate on FIVB-sanctioned continental qualifiers for major global events, including the Olympic Games and World Championships, where joint formats allow teams from both regions to vie for limited spots in a unified Pan-American framework. For instance, the 2024 men's Olympic Qualification Tournament in Rio de Janeiro integrated NORCECA representative Cuba with CSV nations like Brazil, Argentina, and Chile in a round-robin structure leading to semifinal and final matches, determining additional Olympic berths beyond continental allocations. Similar joint qualification pathways apply to the World Championships, such as the 2025 men's event in the Philippines, where NORCECA teams advance through prior regional events that align with CSV processes to ensure balanced representation from the Americas. These qualifiers emphasize cross-confederation rivalry while adhering to FIVB's global calendar for the 2025-2028 Olympic cycle.[25][26] Youth development is a key area of joint activity, with NORCECA and CSV co-organizing U19 and U21 Pan American Championships that alternate hosting duties between the two zones to promote equitable participation. These tournaments, held biennially, feature 8 to 12 teams per gender drawn from both confederations, serving as qualifiers for FIVB youth World Championships and focusing on emerging talent across the Americas. For example, the U21 events integrate pool play followed by knockout stages, providing developmental opportunities aligned with FIVB's youth empowerment initiatives.[27] Joint tournaments generally adopt a standardized format of 8-12 teams divided into pools for preliminary round-robin matches, advancing top performers to semifinals and a final, ensuring competitive balance and alignment with the FIVB calendar for the 2025-2028 period. Historically, the first senior-level joint events emerged in the 1970s through expanded Pan American frameworks, with collaboration intensifying after 2000 to advance gender equity, including equal medal opportunities for men's and women's competitions and shared resources for youth programs. This partnership has strengthened continental volleyball governance and talent pipelines.Title Holders and Current Champions
In senior men's volleyball, the United States claimed the title at the 2023 NORCECA Continental Championship by defeating Cuba 3-2 in the final held in Charleston, West Virginia. Venezuela emerged as the undefeated champion of the 2025 NORCECA Men's Pan American Cup, securing their first-ever gold medal with a 3-1 victory over Mexico in León, Guanajuato.[28] For senior women, the Dominican Republic won the 2024 NORCECA Women's Final Six, overcoming the United States in a five-set final to claim gold, with Brayelin Martínez named MVP. Puerto Rico captured the 2025 NORCECA Women's Final Four title, defeating Mexico in a five-set thriller in Manatí, Puerto Rico, marking their third consecutive victory in the event and finishing undefeated at 3-0. In youth categories, the United States dominated the 2025 NORCECA Girls' U17 Continental Championship, going undefeated with a 5-0 record and sweeping Mexico 3-0 in the final to win gold, while Puerto Rico earned bronze by defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1. The 2025 AFECAVOL U19 Women's Central American Championship, hosted in San Salvador, El Salvador from November 11-15, was won by Costa Rica, who defeated Nicaragua 3-2 in the final for their third consecutive title.[29] On the beach volleyball circuit, United States pairs led the 2025 NORCECA Beach Tour standings, with teams like Avery Drost/Troy Field and Katherine Reilly/Clara Stowell securing multiple stage wins, including gold in Punta Cana.[30] In joint FIVB qualifiers, NORCECA men's semifinalists from the tour advanced to the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships, contributing to continental representation.[31] These titles carry significant qualification implications for FIVB events; for instance, the United States' U17 girls' victory directly secures their berth to the 2026 FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship, highlighting how NORCECA successes provide pathways to global competitions.[32]| Category | Event | Current/Recent Champion | Year | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Men | NORCECA Continental Championship | United States | 2023 | Defeated Cuba 3-2 in final |
| Senior Men | Pan American Cup | Venezuela | 2025 | Undefeated, beat Mexico 3-1 |
| Senior Women | NORCECA Final Six | Dominican Republic | 2024 | Beat USA 3-2, MVP: Brayelin Martínez |
| Senior Women | Final Four | Puerto Rico | 2025 | Beat Mexico 3-2, undefeated 3-0 |
| Youth Girls | U17 Continental Championship | United States | 2025 | Undefeated 5-0, bronze: Puerto Rico |
| Youth Girls | AFECAVOL U19 Central American | Costa Rica | 2025 | Defeated Nicaragua 3-2 in final, third consecutive title |
| Beach Men/Women | NORCECA Tour Leaders | United States | 2025 | Multiple stage golds, e.g., Punta Cana |
Rankings and Achievements
FIVB World Rankings
The FIVB senior world rankings for volleyball national teams are calculated using a dynamic formula that awards points based on match results in official international competitions over the past four years, with greater weight given to recent events and the strength of opponents. Factors include the importance of the tournament (e.g., Olympics or World Championships carry higher multipliers), the confederation strength, and the match outcome, where a win against a higher-ranked team yields more points than a loss to a lower one. For instance, gold in a continental championship like the NORCECA Final Six can contribute up to 100 points or more depending on the event's weighting.[33][34] In the men's rankings, NORCECA teams demonstrate strong global competitiveness, particularly led by the United States, which holds the 5th position worldwide with 327.73 points as of the latest update on October 13, 2025. Canada follows closely in 7th place with 262.90 points, while Cuba ranks 12th with 260.61 points; these positions reflect consistent performances in major events, including the United States' Olympic bronze in 2024, which significantly boosted its tally. Other notable NORCECA performers include Mexico at 22nd (138.76 points) and the Dominican Republic at 25th (126.45 points). The rankings underscore NORCECA's allocation of 2-3 Olympic qualification spots per gender, enabling top teams like the USA and Canada to secure berths for the 2028 Los Angeles Games through continental qualifiers.[35][36]| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | United States (USA) | 327.73 |
| 7 | Canada (CAN) | 262.90 |
| 12 | Cuba (CUB) | 260.61 |
| 22 | Mexico (MEX) | 138.76 |
| 25 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 126.45 |
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | United States (USA) | 338.12 |
| 11 | Dominican Republic (DOM) | 257.19 |
| 13 | Canada (CAN) | 256.76 |
| 19 | Cuba (CUB) | 131.39 |
