2021 FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League
The 2021 FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League was originally to be the third edition of the FIVB Volleyball Men's Nations League, an annual men's international volleyball tournament. The 2021 version of VNL was originally scheduled to start earlier than the previous edition due to the 2020 Summer Olympics in July. The preliminary round was scheduled to be held during five weeks between May 28 and June 23, 2021. The final round was scheduled for June 26 and 27. The final round was to take place in the United States but  it was canceled due to a clash with the U.S. Independence Day. Later FIVB confirmed Turin, Italy, would be the new host for the final round of the 2020 VNL. On March 13, 2020 FIVB decided to postpone the Nations League until after the 2020 Summer Olympics, but after postponement of the 2020 Summer Olympics to 2021, the FIVB finally canceled the 2020 VNL due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and announced that Italy would host the final round of the 2020 VNL. Qualification. In the 2019 edition sixteen teams qualified for the competition. Twelve of them qualified as core teams  which could not face relegation. Other four teams were selected as challenger teams which could be relegated from the tournament. Slovenia as winner of 2019 Challenger Cup earned the right to participate in this tournament replacing Portugal, the last placed challenger team after the 2019 edition. This year there won’t be any promotion or relegation and the 16 participants will also compete in the 2022 edition. Format. Preliminary round. The 16 teams compete in a round-robin format. The teams play 3 matches each week and compete five weeks long, for 120 matches. The top four teams after the  preliminary round compete in the final round. Final round. The four qualified teams play knock-out round. The semifinals winners advance to compete for the Nations League title. The losers face each other in the third place match. Secure bubble. As to ensure athletes were able to compete and the games were conducted safely, the 2021 VNL was played under a secure bubble. After the game, a total of 2,250 PCR and 7,920 antigen tests were performed and only one registered COVID-19 case was found. Squads. The 16 national teams involved in the tournament were required to register a squad  of 25 players, which every week's 14-player roster must be selected from. Each country must declare its 14-player roster two days before the start of each week's round-robin competition. Preliminary round. Ranking. Covid Related. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the game is played without spectators. Total 10,170 Covid-19 tests (including women's side) were conducted to players, referees, officials and staff every four days.