Japan men's volleyball team qualify for LA 2028 with Asian title
Japan swept Iran 3-0 in Fukuoka to become the country's first ball-sport team to qualify for the Los Angeles Games, with Ran Takahashi named tournament MVP.
- Japan's men's volleyball team has qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
- Qualification was secured after the team defeated Iran 3-0 to win the 2026 Asian Volleyball Confederation's continental title.
- The team is the first ball-sport side from Japan to qualify for the LA 2028 Games, giving them two years to prepare.
Japan’s men’s volleyball team became the country’s first ball-sport side to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games after defeating Iran 3-0 to claim the Asian Volleyball Confederation’s 2026 continental title.
The final took place at Kitakyushu City General Gymnasium on Sunday (September 13, 2026).
Securing qualification two years before the Games gives Japan an extended period in which to prepare for the Olympic tournament.
At a press conference in Tokyo on Monday (September 14, 2026), captain Yuki Ishikawa highlighted the effort the team had made throughout the season to secure its Olympic place.
“We’re glad that we could accomplish the goal,” Ishikawa said.
Ran Takahashi, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, attributed his individual performance to the backing he received from the rest of the squad.
“I was able to perform well thanks to the support of all my teammates,” Takahashi said.
Head coach Laurent Tillie stressed that Japan’s future development should be based on continuity rather than rebuilding the team from the beginning.
With the squad aiming to reach the podium at every tournament, he viewed playing together as the same group and steadily accumulating victories as essential to winning medals.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
