FIVB to introduce new World Ranking System for 2020

 

LAUSANNE, Switzerland, December 20, 2019 - Volleyball will adopt an exciting new World Ranking system after the FIVB Board of Administration (BOA) ratified the proposal.

 

In May 2019, a decision was taken by the BOA to test a new system, in parallel with the current rankings, to establish a more transparent and fair way of ranking senior national teams. The new system adopts a points-based approach, with scores, performances and opponent strength all contributing.

The new World Ranking system will be implemented from 1 February 2020 and will take into account all results from 1 January 2019. However, for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games grouping, the current World Ranking will be applied, based on the rankings as of 31 January 2020: http://www.fivb.com/en/volleyball/rankings

The system will be consistently updated to reflect the latest results and performances.

The new World Ranking considers the match results from all official competitions:

• Olympic Games & Qualification
• World Championships & Qualification
• VNL (Volleyball Nations League)
• Volleyball Challenger Cup
• World Cup
• Continental Championships & Qualification
• FIVB recognised international events including annual continental competitions with a minimum of 4 participating teams.

 

Based on both teams' score and historical match data, the algorithm will calculate the probabilities of all six outcomes of the match (3-0, 3-1, 3-2, 2-3, 1-3 or 0-3).

 

The actual result of the match is then compared with the expected results that were previously calculated. If the team over-performs and exceeds expectations, the team scores World Ranking points. If the team under-performs, then the team loses World Ranking points.

 

The closer the actual match result is to the most expected outcome, the smaller the number of World Ranking points will be won and lost. And therefore, the further the actual match result is from the predicted outcome, the greater the number of World Ranking points will be won and lost. No team can win a match but lose world ranking points, but inactive teams will lose points each year until they are eventually removed from the World Ranking.

 

In addition, Continental Confederations will also benefit from a Continental Rankings filter considering only the match results of the teams of the said confederation.

FIVB President Ary S Graça Fᵒ said:

"In this new World Ranking system, every match and every set count! It will reflect the true sporting strength of each team. This is an important point and I believe that it makes our sport fairer.

"Our end goal is to be the world’s number one family sport, and by promoting open and fair play in everything we do, this is setting a great example for the next generation."