Moncton gives Cuba another chance to settle its volleyball score

Cuba returns to a familiar obstacle in Moncton. The Canadian city will host the Norceca Olympic volleyball qualifier from the 11th, and Canada stands between the Cuban team and a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The winner will claim the region’s Olympic berth, while three teams will qualify for the 2027 World Championship. Organizers have promised a high-quality tournament designed to draw supporters and raise Moncton’s profile, as well as the performance of its team.

Cuba arrives with confidence from a successful preparation tour. The team trained and played against Germany, Brazil and Canada before going unbeaten in a four-team tournament in the Italian cities of Reggio Calabria and Messina. It will open the qualifier against the Dominican Republic.

Canada, however, carries a painful recent history for the Cubans. In January 2020, Canada defeated Cuba in Vancouver after the island won the first two sets, ending its hopes of reaching the Tokyo Olympics. Canada also won 3-1 in the second week of the 2024 Nations League, played partly on Canadian soil. Cuba later missed the Paris qualification route after losing to Poland in its final qualifying match.

The latest meeting offers a different signal. Cuba beat Canada 3-0 in the 2026 Nations League, led by Miguel Ángel López’s 16 points and Marlon Yant’s 14. Granma warns that neither team can relax, since both finished near the bottom of that competition. Canada will have its home crowd behind it, while Cuba’s players will try to turn their recent momentum into the Olympic ticket.