Under new technical leadership, world No. 1 Brazil have begun a new cycle in their illustrious history after claiming the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Renan dal Zotto taking over as head coach following the retirement of Bernardo 'Bernardinho' Rezende. In their first major tournaments under Dal Zotto, Brazil won the silver medal at the 2017 FIVB World League, followed by gold at the 2017 South American Championship (including a ticket to the 2018 FIVB World Championship).

During Bernardinho's 15-year tenure as coach, Brazil have at times seemed unstoppable, collecting numerous trophies. Rezende led the team to the 2001 World League title in his first outing and Brazil claimed the competition in successive years from 2003 to 2007. The Brazilians won back-to-back World League titles again in 2009 and 2010, three successive titles at the World Championship (2002, 2006, 2010) and two at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup (2003 and 2007), all capped by their third Olympic gold last year.

Brazil are the most successful team in the history of the FIVB Men’s World Grand Champions Cup, having won gold in four of the six editions to data, including the last three straight. Together with hosts Japan they are they only team to have taken part in all six previous editions of the competition.