Italy will host the quadrennial FIVB Volleyball Women’s World
Championship from September 23 to October 12. The 17th edition of the
tournament, which began in 1952, will take place in the cities of Bari,
Milan, Modena, Rome, Trieste and Verona.
A total of 24 teams will compete for the title following continental qualifications, which saw a record 141 teams take part. The host country being automatically qualified for the quadriennal event, this leaves 23 vacancies open for other countries of the world.
The qualification process started in May 2012 and ran until June 2014. As per the FIVB sports regulations, the number of spots awarded by the FIVB for each confederation. The competition will see four teams from Asia, two from Africa, ten (including the hosts) from Europe, two from South America and six from the North, Central America and Caribbean. The participating teams will compete against each other in 102 matches that will take place over 15 days.
The 24 teams have been divided into four pools of six teams playing in a round-robin system with the top four teams in each pool advancing to the second round. The 16 teams will be split into two pools of eight (first and second from Pool A and B, third and fourth from Pool C and D in one group, third and fourth from Pool A and B, third and fourth from Pool C and D in one group, third and fourth from Pool A and B and first and second from Pool C and D in the other).
The top three teams in each of the two second round pools will advance to the third and final round. The four winners will be placed in the two pools with the second and third-placed teams drawn. The round will consist of a round-robin system with the top two teams in each pool advancing to the semifinals. The 102nd and last match of the tournament will be the final which will take place in Milan on October 12.
Prize Money for the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship Italy 2014 is as follows:
1st Place: USD 200’000
2nd Place: USD 125’000
3rd Place: USD 75’000
Prize Money for individual awards:
MVP: USD 30’000
7 other positions: USD 10’000
