Fifteen teams backed by the Volleyball Empowerment Programme will compete at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The beach volleyball event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games will take place at Saly Beach West in Dakar from 31 October to 4 November. This historic competition marks the first time Africa will host an Olympic Games tournament, featuring junior or senior events alike, bringing global attention to the region.
A total of 15 out of the 24 participating boys teams receive vital assistance from the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme, supporting national federations worldwide in their athletic pursuits. These empowered pairs are now setting their sights on ultimate victory at the upcoming youth international showcase in Senegal.
The participating federations supported by this development initiative include Austria, Australia, Norway, Venezuela, Senegal, Brazil, Chile, Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, Sweden, Guatemala, South Africa, Cayman Islands, and Morocco, according to information published by fivb.
Tournament Format and Key Pool Matches in Dakar
The boys beach volleyball competition will feature 24 teams divided evenly into six pools of four. The opening pool phase will run on 31 October and 1 November, utilizing a round-robin format to determine initial standings.
Seeded sixth, Souleymane Seck Ciss and Mouhamed Moustapha Sidibe will lead the host nation from Pool F. They will face Palau, Türkiye, and the empowered Swedish pair of Casper Tjernqvist and Henrik Brus, who benefit from expert coaching support.
International Coaching Support Across National Federations
The global reach of the Volleyball Empowerment Programme is evident in the diverse coaching expertise deployed across various participating countries. For instance, Italian coach Martino Cagnazzi oversees senior teams in Senegal, while Rasmus Jonsson leads the Swedish setup.
Austria enters the tournament with strong backing, as second seeds Paul Hohenauer and Martin Poinstingl start in Pool B under the guidance of Greek coach Georgios Kotsilianos. Meanwhile, Australia features four dedicated coaches working with national teams supported by substantial funding.
Elimination Phase and Medal Matches Schedule
Following the round-robin matches, the top two teams from each pool, along with the two best third-placed teams, will advance directly to the Round of 16. The remaining third-placed teams will fight for the final spots in a qualification round on 2 November.
The knockout stages intensify on 2 November with the Round of 16, leading directly to the quarterfinals and semifinals on 3 November. Finally, the tournament will conclude on 4 November with the highly anticipated bronze and gold medal matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games beach volleyball event?
The beach volleyball event takes place at Saly Beach West in Dakar, Senegal, from 31 October to 4 November.
How many boys teams are supported by the Volleyball Empowerment Programme?
A total of 15 out of the 24 participating boys teams are supported by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment Programme.
What is the competition format for beach volleyball at Dakar 2026?
The 24 teams are divided into six pools of four for the round-robin phase, followed by elimination rounds leading to the medal matches on 4 November.
