COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 19, 2017) – The U.S. Men’s National Team will welcome teams from North America, Central America and the Caribbean for the NORCECA Men’s Continental Championship on Sept. 26-Oct. 1 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Twelve teams are expected to compete in the event, which is a qualifier for the 2018 FIVB World Championship on Sept. 10-30 in Italy and Bulgaria.

The U.S. Men are ranked No. 2 in the world and No. 1 in NORCECA. In July, the United States finished fourth at the FIVB World League with a team that included several athletes making their national team debuts.

“This event will be important for the maturation of our young team,” U.S. Head Coach John Speraw said. “Qualifying for the World Championship and playing another high quality tournament will be a great way to conclude our first summer of the quad.”

Among the other countries expected to compete are Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Martinique, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Trinidad & Tobago.

Matches are scheduled for 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day of the competition in either SportsCenter 1 or SportsCenter 2. The event is free and open to the public.

The U.S. Men have won the NORCECA championship eight times, most recently in 2013. In 2015, the United States did not compete in the event because it was a qualifier for the NORCECA Olympic qualifier and the U.S. Men had already secured an Olympic slot by winning the 2015 FIVB World Cup.