Qatar will make their debut in the prestigious FIVB World League this year to raise their competitive level.
Qatar, Chinese Taipei, Germany and Slovenia are the four nations who have been granted a place in the Group 3. Besides Germany, the remaining three will be playing in the premier annual FIVB tournament for the first time.
The Group 1 and 2 preliminary rounds are scheduled from June 17 to July 3, while Group 3 will be played from June 17 to 26. The Group 3 Finals will be from July 1 to 3, Group 2 Finals from July 9 to 10 in Portugal, and the Group 1 Finals from July 13 to 17 in Poland.
Brazil and Italy are the only two countries to have participated in all 26 previous editions of the FIVB World League.
All the former winners are also back in action again: Brazil (nine titles), Italy (eight), Russia (three), defending champions USA (two), world champions Poland, Cuba, the Netherlands and defending champions France (one title each).
The tournament began with just eight countries, who took part in the inaugural competition in 1990. In 1991 the number of teams had risen to 10, while 12 nations competed from 1992-2000 and 2004-05. The field featured 16 teams from 2001-2003 and 2006-2012.
The 2013 saw 18 different countries compete, with that increasing to 28 in 2014 and 32 in 2015 before reaching the new high of 36 for 2016. All the participating nations have beeb divided into three groups and make the 27th World League edition the largest so far.
While the fixtures of the Qatar’s group have yet to be finalised, other eight nations are: Tunisia, Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Greece and Puerto Rico.
The Group 1 consists of defending champions France, Italy, Australia, Belgium, United States, Brazil (nine times winners), Argentina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Olympic champions Russia and world champions Poland
The Group 2 has the Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Slovakia, Japan, South Korea, Finland, Cuba, Canada, China, Egypt and Czech Republic.
The playing format
Under the Intercontinental Round, the Group One teams were drawn in nine pools of four teams each. In every pool, all teams will compete on the round-robin format.
The results of all nine pools will combine in one ranking table. The hosts and the top five ranked teams will play in the final round. The last ranked team after the Intercontinental Round could be relegated if the winners of the Group 2 Final Round can meet the promotion requirements set by the FIVB.
In the Group 2, the 12 teams have also been drawn in nine pools of four teams each. In each pool, all teams will compete on the round-robin format. The results of all nine pools will combine in one ranking table. The hosts and the top three ranked teams will play in the final round. The last ranked team after the Intercontinental Round could be relegated if the winners of the Group 3 Final Round can meet the promotion requirements set by the FIVB.
For the Group 3, the 12 teams have been divided into six pools of four teams each. In each pool, all teams will compete under the round-robin format. The results of all six pools will combine in one ranking table. The hosts and the top three ranked teams will play in the final round.
Under the Final round rules, in the Group 1, the six teams will be divided in two pools determined by the Serpentine system. The hosts will be at the top position and the other teams will be allocated by their rankings in the preliminary round. The top two teams from each pool will play in the semi-finals. The winning teams will play in the final match for the gold medal.
For the Group 2 and 3, the hosts will face the last ranked team among the qualified teams in the semi-finals. The other two teams will play against each other in the other semi-final. The winning teams will play in the final match for the gold medals and a chance for promotion.
Teams
Group 1
France, Italy, Australia, Belgium, United States, Brazil, Iran, Argentina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia and Poland
Group 2
Netherlands, Portugal, Turkey, Slovakia, Japan, South Korea, Finland, Cuba, Canada, China, Egypt and Czech Republic
Group 3
Slovenia, Tunisia, Venezuela, Qatar, Mexico, Spain, Montenegro, Germany, Kazakhstan, Greece, Chinese Taipei and Puerto Rico