Cuba are the third most decorated side in the history of the FIVB World Championship, after Russia (including the USSR) and Japan.

The Caribbean team won its first title in 1978, when they beat Japan 3-0 in the final in Russia. In 1986, Cuba lost to China 3-1 in the final in Prague. But Cuba went on to dominate world volleyball in the last decade of the 20th century, winning two consecutive titles, with a 3-0 victory in 1994 against hosts Brazil in Sao Paulo, followed by another straight-sets success in 1998 over China. Although Cuba have been an ever-present in the World Championship, they have not been on the podium 1998 and will be looking to replicate their glory years when the competition returns to Japan.

In addition to World Championship successes, Cuba have also won three Olympic gold medals – all three coming consecutively at Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, culminating in a golden decade for the sport in Cuba. They finished third for bronze four years later at Athens 2004.

Cuba have also won eight gold medals at the Pan-American Games. Their last podium appearance second place in Guadalajara 2011, followed by a fifth-place finish in the latest edition.