For over three decades, the global volleyball stage has seen many teams rise and fall, but one nation has been conspicuously absent: Ukraine. Their last appearance at the FIVB World Championship dates back to 1994. Now, 31 years later, they are not just returning; they are arriving with a statement of intent, embodying a remarkable story of resurgence.
Bridging the Decades: A Veteran`s Return
That 1994 debut in Brazil feels like a distant echo, a mere footnote in the annals of volleyball history for many. Indeed, of the current squad, only veteran middle blocker Svitlana Dorsman was even alive, barely a nine-month-old infant, when Ukraine first stepped onto the World Championship court in Belo Horizonte. At 31, Dorsman now bridges that immense gap, returning as the team`s oldest and most experienced player, a living testament to the passage of time and the enduring spirit of Ukrainian volleyball.
The Empowerment Catalyst: Fueling the Rise
This dramatic elevation, however, is no mere coincidence or sudden stroke of luck. It`s the tangible outcome of strategic, sustained investment through the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program. Since 2022, this initiative has poured over $900,000 into the Ukraine Volleyball Federation, a financial backbone that has allowed the nation to not only maintain but significantly elevate its indoor and beach volleyball activities. It`s an investment that has paid dividends with striking regularity.
Under this crucial support, Ukraine secured back-to-back CEV European Golden League titles in 2023 and 2025 – a feat that firmly established their continental prowess. They also reached the Round of 16 at the CEV European Championship. While a narrow miss for the Paris 2024 Olympics highlighted the fierce competition, it also underscored their newfound capability to contend at the highest levels. This upward trajectory culminated in their qualification for the 2025 World Championship as the sixth-ranked non-qualified team globally, propelling them to 15th in the FIVB World Rankings and, perhaps most notably, earning them a coveted spot in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL). From relative obscurity to a prime-time VNL slot – quite the ascent.
New Leadership, Sustained Momentum
The recent European Golden League triumph in June, their latest crown, marked a fresh chapter under the guidance of Polish coach Jakub Głuszak, who took the reins in January this year. Głuszak inherits a squad brimming with talent and momentum. Daria Sharhorodska, the Most Valuable Player of this year’s European Golden League, is expected to orchestrate the offense, while opposite Anna Artyshuk has emerged as a consistent and powerful attacking force.
Captain Krystyna Niemtseva will anchor the defense and reception as the starting libero, her leadership crucial on the big stage. Svitlana Dorsman, rejoining the squad after a Golden League absence, brings a valuable veteran presence, forming a formidable net defense alongside Diana Meliushkyna and Uliana Kotar. Outside hitters Yuliia Dymar and Oleksandra Milenko’s consistent summer performances will be vital as Coach Głuszak`s Ukrainian adventure goes truly global.
The Global Stage Awaits: Thailand 2025
The challenge in Bangkok is formidable. Ukraine is placed in Pool H alongside volleyball powerhouses Japan (world number five), defending champions Serbia, and Cameroon. Their campaign kicks off on August 23 against Serbia, followed by a clash with Japan on August 25, before concluding their pool play against Cameroon on August 27 – all at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.
A Narrative of Resilience and Ambition
This isn`t just a team participating; it`s a statement. Ukraine`s return to the World Championship is a narrative of resilience, strategic investment, and burgeoning talent. After 31 years, they are no longer merely returning to the global stage; they are reclaiming their place, empowered and ready to carve out a new chapter in their volleyball history. The world watches to see just how far this empowered return will take them.
Rupert Caldwell