Group 1 includes the top 12 teams:
BRA, THA, GER, CHN, USA, ITA, JPN, SRB, RUS, NED, TUR, BEL
8 teams of group 2:
BUL, POL, ARG, KEN, PUR, CZE, CAN, DOM
8 teams of group 3:
AUS, PER, KAZ, ALG, CRO, COL, MEX, CUB
Competition calendar
The 2016 edition of the World Grand Prix will be played over a period of just six weeks from June 3 through to July 10. The preliminary round in Groups 2 and 3 will take place over two weeks from June 3-12. The Group 2 and 3 Finals will follow on the weekend of June 17-19. The Group 1 Intercontinental Round will be played out over three weeks from June 10-26. The Group 1 Finals will take place from July 6-10.[url=http://www.mx7.com/view2/yxShgycu6zICqcWm][/url]
Six teams will play the Group 1 Finals, split into two pools of three. In a departure from last year's format, pool play will be followed by semifinals and finals. The top five teams from the Intercontinental Round will be joined by the competition hosts.
The format of the Group 2 and 3 Finals remains unchanged. The three best teams from the preliminary round rankings will be joined by the competition hosts - the four teams will play semifinals and finals.
Finals bidding process opened
The bidding process for the World Grand Prix Finals has been opened. It is open to all Group 1 participants and will guarantee a berth for the hosts at the event. Information about the bidding process is now available from the FIVB. Potential hosts are invited to submit their bids by September 30. The International Volleyball Federation will evaluate the bids received and announce the hosts after October 31.
The World Grand Prix featured eight teams in its debut season of 1993 and from 1995 to 2002, while 12 teams were in action in 1994 and from 2003 to 2010. Sixteen teams were involved in the 2011 and 2012 editions before expanding to 20 in 2013. The competition has featured 28 teams since 2014.