Gwangju, South Korea.— The United States of American juggernaut will continue at the FINA World Championships women's water polo competition starting at the Nambu University Grounds on Sunday, July 14.

There is little doubt Adam Krikorian's team, that has swept all the major titles open to it, will be near the top, if not on top, as usual. It takes a hearty team to take it up to the North Americans and follow through until the final whistle.

South Korea will be making its debut at any FINA women's level and the anticipation of playing Russia, Hungary and Canada must be exciting, if a little daunting.

One team will gain 2020 Tokyo Olympic tickets from Gwangju.

United States of America is pre-qualified after winning May's FINA World League Super Final in Budapest, Hungary. Should USA fill the top slot in Gwangju, then the second-ranked team would be elevated to qualification.

Group A

USA is the perennial favourite and even though Italy put up a huge fight at the Super Final (one-goal loss) to give USA any pressure this year, pretenders to the throne could just be that. Netherlands, fourth at the Super Final this year, is one such team that could inflict damage when they meet in the second day of women's competition. At the Super Final the difference was just two goals. New Zealand and South Africa round out the group and their clash on the second day will be eagerly awaited as one team slips into the top 12. At the Intercontinental Cup in Perth, Australia in March, New Zealand won 11-8 after being 6-6 at halftime. For the USA, pencil in Maddy Musselman as a prime attacker as she was named MVP at the recent Super Final and Makenzie Fischer who was best in water in the final. Also watch the Netherlands' Maud Megens (NED) for shooting style.

Group B

Russia was the bronze medallist at Budapest two years ago and the silver medallist at the 2018 FINA World Cup in Surgut, Russia. Hungary's sixth position in Budapest this year was once rung down the ladder from its Budapest 2017 finish. Hungary has to look back to 2005 and 1994 for World Championship success. Canada was fourth two years ago in a resurgence that gained silver at the 2017 Super Final, but slumped to seventh in Budapest in June in a tightly contested event. South Korea will find it a tough event to debut on the world stage at any level. Hungarian captain Rita Keszthelyi should thrill again with her firing arm while Russian superstar Ekaterina Prokofyeva will pepper opponents' goals.

Group C

Spain was fourth at last year's World Cup behind Australia and Miki Oca's team will be out to emulate its sole FINA World Championship medal — gold at home in 2013 with a scintillating, all-the-way 8-6 victory over Australia. many of that team are here in Gwangju. Greece was seventh two years ago, failed to make the last two World Cups and has not been in the Super Final since 2012. The success of junior Greek teams in recent years could spell good news for the seniors. Kazakhstan will be bringing its experienced squad with an 11th placing in 2011 being the best of the last decade at this level. Cuba is making its fourth appearance at this level having finished 10th in 2011, 15th in 2007 and ninth in 2005.

Group D

Italy — the beaten finalist at the 2019 Super Final, comes up against Australia, China and Japan in Group D. Italy pushed USA all the way in Budapest and that form translated to Gwangju, could be a huge turning point in women's water polo. Australia — winner of the Intercontinental Cup in March and bronze medallist at last year's FINA World Cup — is capable of doing better than its fifth-placed finish in Budapest. With Bronwen Knox closing in on 400 internationals and Rowie Webster close to 300, there is plenty of experience and firepower to get back to the top level.  Asian teams China and Japan close out the group. China finished third in Perth this year and Japan fifth with the latter having the high-scoring pair of Yumi Arima and Akari Inaba. China has a wealth of international coaching talent, which might help reach fruition in Gwangju.

Competition

Following three competition days of round play, the competition is sorted into the top 12 while the last-placed teams in each group play for the last four rankings. A crossover day is scheduled for July 20 with the group winners having a day off. This is followed by the quarterfinals on July 22, the semifinals on July 24 and the final ranking round on July 26.