Italy have competed in all 27 editions of the FIVB Volleyball World League. They finished fifth in last year’s edition after claiming bronze in Florence in 2014. The Azzurri have eight titles, one fewer than Brazil, and they will be looking to repeat their 1995 heroics when they beat the South Americans in the final in Rio de Janeiro. Italy have qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup, where they finished as runners-up behind USA, defeating world champions Poland on the last day of the round robin tournament in Japan. At the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, Italy finished joint-13th.

Although Italy won a bronze medal at the 1948 European Championship it was only in the early 1970s that they became a major force in the sport. They won a bronze at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games before a lengthy period of domination under Julio Velasco’s guidance. From 1989 to 2005, Italy won three World Championships, one FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup, six European Championships, eight World Leagues and three Olympic medals (silver in 1996, bronze in 2000 and silver in 2004). They claimed bronze at London 2012.