The Volleyball World Championships are the first and most important world volleyball event created by the FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball). The first men's championship was held in Prague in 1949, and the first women's in Moscow in 1952. In the volleyball world, the World Championships have the same tradition and prestige as soccer's World Cup. To attain the title of "volleyball world champions" is one of the highest honours in international team sports.

An astounding 218 countries and regions are given equal opportunity to compete - exceeding the number of IOC (International Olympic Committee) members. After taking part in eight months of continental qualifying rounds, only the 24 best male and 24 best female teams will be able to compete in the final rounds. In 2006, following an interval of eight years, Japan will again be the host of both the Men's and Women's Championships.

A total of 48 teams (24 men's and 24 women's) will compete in the final round of the World Championships - more than the number of teams that compete in the Olympics (24) or in the World Cup (24). The 2006 Championships will be the 16th Men's Championship and 15th Women's Championship, surpassing even the Olympic history of 11 competitions.