The Finals will also act as the test event for the volleyball competition for the 2016 Olympics which will be held in the same venue, the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) confirmed

Volleyball has been the most in-demand sport since the Rio 2016 ticket registration process opened in January, with 27 per cent of people expressing an interest in attending matches.

Football was second with 21.9 per cent, while swimming and athletics garnered 21 and 20.6 per cent respectively.

Four countries had been in the running to host the Group 1 Finals, with Australia, Iran and Poland also in contention, but they ultimately fell short of Brazil.

The finals will feature six teams, including hosts Brazil, as well as the top two teams from Pool A and Pool B plus the winner of Group 2, playing for the title of the 26th edition of the World League.

The World League Intercontinental Round features eight countries competing in Group 1, with Pool A comprising of nine-time winners Brazil, as well as Australia, Italy and Serbia.

Meanwhile world champions Poland and reigning champions United States headline Pool B and are joined by Iran and Russia.

The Finals will also act as a Rio 2016 test event ©Getty Images



The World League Finals in Brazil will crown the biggest edition of the competition, which has grown from eight teams in its inaugural year in 1990 to a record 32 teams for the 2015 edition.

The 2015 World League Group 2 Finals involving teams in Pool C, D and E will take place in Bulgaria from July 10 to 11, while four teams will play in the Group 3 finals in Slovakia from July 3 to 5, with teams from Pool F, G and H competing.

Following the Group 1 Finals, the next Rio 2016 test event set to be held will be triathlon from August 1 to 2.

Rowing's test event is scheduled to take place from August 5 to 9, while equestrian is due to be held from August 6 to 9.

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