The Cuban men's volleyball team wrapped up their journey in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) by securing the 16th spot out of 18 teams. Their campaign concluded on Sunday in Osaka, where they faced a 3-1 defeat against Italy in the final match of the preliminary round.
According to the state-run sports outlet, JIT, Italy claimed victory with set scores of 17-25, 25-19, 25-21, and 25-17. This marked the end of a third week that started with three successive wins for the Cubans.
Outside hitter Miguel Ángel López led the Cuban team with 11 points in the match. Middle blocker Robertlandy Simón and wing spiker Marlon Yant each contributed nine points. On the Italian side, Yuri Romano topped the scoring charts with 17 points.
In terms of team performance, Italy outperformed Cuba in attacks (47-41) and blocks (12-7), while Cuba had a slight edge in serves (5-4). Both teams were evenly matched in unforced errors, with 29 each.
Overall, Cuba ended their VNL 2026 run with three wins and nine losses, collecting 10 points in the standings. All three victories were secured during the third week in Kasai, Osaka, against Belgium, Argentina, and Canada, following eight straight losses during the first two weeks in China and France.
Another significant event during the tournament was the serious injury of middle blocker Javier Concepción, who suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula on June 29 during a match against Iran in Orléans, France. He underwent surgery on the same day and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Despite the modest outcome, Cuba ensured their spot in the VNL 2027, as the league's relegation system only demotes the team finishing last, a position held by China with just four points.
This year's performance starkly contrasts with the historic achievement of the previous year when Cuba reached the final phase of the VNL for the first time, finishing among the top eight globally. In that edition, Marlon Yant was the tournament's top scorer with 237 points.
For the 2026 season, the Cuban Volleyball Federation had announced the much-anticipated return of Robertlandy Simón to the national team after his retirement in June 2024, as one of the key highlights of the 30-player preliminary squad revealed on May 1.
The eight teams advancing to the final stage are Japan—undefeated leaders with 12 wins—Slovenia, Poland, Italy, the United States, Turkey, Ukraine, and Bulgaria.
The grand finale of the 2026 men's VNL is scheduled from July 29 to August 2 in Ningbo, China.
FAQs on Cuba's Performance in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League
What position did Cuba finish in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League?
Cuba finished in the 16th place out of 18 teams in the 2026 Volleyball Nations League.
Who was the top scorer for Cuba in their final match against Italy?
The top scorer for Cuba against Italy was Miguel Ángel López, who scored 11 points.
How did Cuba's performance in 2026 compare to the previous year?
In 2025, Cuba reached the final phase of the VNL for the first time, finishing in the top eight, whereas in 2026, they finished 16th.