The Italian men’s national volleyball team, fresh off a stellar 2025 that included a silver medal in the Volleyball Nations League and a World Championship title, has unveiled its schedule of friendly matches leading up to the 2026 season. The program will see the Azzurri play across the Italian peninsula, from north to south, as they build form for key upcoming tournaments.
The new season for the team, coached by Ferdinando De Giorgi, officially begins May 11th with a training camp at the Giulio Onesti Olympic Preparation Centre in Rome. This camp marks the start of preparations following the successful 2025 campaign where Giannelli and his teammates secured their impressive results. The team will then move to Val di Fiemme on May 20th for the main phase of their preparation.
First Test Matches Before Volleyball Nations League
Italy will play three friendly matches at the finish of May, serving as crucial preparation before departing for the first week of the Volleyball Nations League in Ottawa, Canada, on June 6th. The first of these matches is scheduled for May 28th in Cavalese, against Turkey. This will be followed by a match against Belgium on May 30th in Verona, and another encounter with Turkey on May 31st in Bergamo.
These initial matches are strategically chosen, pitting the world champions against Turkey, a developing team, and Belgium, known for its physically strong style of play. This allows De Giorgi to experiment with different lineups and tactical combinations as he assesses his squad ahead of the VNL.
Summer Restart and Argentina Challenge
Following the second week of the Volleyball Nations League, the Italian team will reconvene in Cavalese on July 2nd. A further test match is scheduled for July 5th in Trento against Argentina. This match is particularly significant, as Argentina presents a challenging opponent for European teams with its unique rhythm and aggressive defensive style.
Preparing for the European Championship on Home Soil
The second half of the season will be entirely dedicated to preparations for the European Championship, which Italy will host in 2026. The championship matches will be held in Naples, Modena, Turin, and Milan. To fine-tune their preparations, the team will participate in the BPER Test Match on August 26th in Reggio Calabria against Cuba.
Further preparation will come in the form of the FIPAV Cup Men Elite, hosted in Messina. Italy will face Cuba again on August 28th, followed by a match against Brazil on August 30th. These matches will provide valuable competitive experience as the team gears up for the European Championship on home soil.
Full Schedule of Amichevoli
Here’s a complete list of the confirmed friendly matches:
- May 28: Italy vs. Turkey, Cavalese (18:00 local time)
- May 30: Italy vs. Belgium, Verona (21:00 local time)
- May 31: Italy vs. Turkey, Bergamo (17:30 local time)
- July 5: Italy vs. Argentina, Trento (18:00 local time)
- August 26: Italy vs. Cuba, Reggio Calabria (21:00 local time)
- August 28: Italy vs. Cuba, Messina (20:00 local time)
- August 30: Italy vs. Brazil, Messina (21:00 local time)
Ferdinando De Giorgi, who also competed in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and is a three-time World Champion as a player, will be looking to build on the team’s recent successes. His experience both on and off the court will be invaluable as Italy aims to defend its World Championship title and compete for the European Championship crown.
The extensive schedule of friendly matches demonstrates the Italian Volleyball Federation’s commitment to providing the national team with the best possible preparation for the challenges ahead. Fans across Italy will have the opportunity to witness the team’s progress firsthand as they prepare to compete on the world stage.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the Italian national team is the friendly match against Turkey on May 28th in Cavalese. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the Italian men’s volleyball team as they prepare for a busy and exciting 2026 season.
