The FIVB World League Council confirmed the news during its annual one-day meeting at its head office in Lausanne today.

"This is an historic moment for the FIVB and the World League," said FIVB President Dr. Ary S. Graça F° to the 28 Federations represented in the meeting.

"This new direction is all about growing volleyball and providing opportunities for federations to play.

"It is very clear for me, the future is today and we are doing something different.

"This is the new era and I would like to congratulate the new countries who are involved, who now have an opportunity to play on the world stage."

The new format sees the 28 teams split into seven pools of four with eight of the top ranked teams in the world making it into the top tiered pools A and B.

Nine time champions and number one ranked Brazil are joined by eight time winners Italy, 2012 champions Poland and high rising Iran in Pool A, with Pool B consisting of defending champions Russia, 2012 runners-up United States, this year's fourth placed finishers Bulgaria and four time runners up Serbia.

Brazil will come into the 2014 World League as the favourites having won the title on nine previous occasions and boasting the world number one rank ©Getty Images



Pool C features first time participants Belgium along with Canada, Australia and Finland while Argentina, Germany, France and Japan are in Pool D.

Pool E pits the Netherlands against, Korea, the Czech Republic, who return to the World League after making their only previous appearance in 2003, and Portugal.

Last year's 13th place finishers Cuba are joined in Pool F by World League debutants Tunisia, Turkey and Mexico whilst Pool G sees Puerto Rico return after making their only appearance in 2011, China and Spain return after last appearing in 2010 and 2008 respectively while Slovakia will make their World League debut.

Once things get up and running in the 2014 World League, teams from Pools A to E will play each opponent in their group four times - twice at home and twice away - beginning on the weekend of May 23 to 25.

Pool A and B will then be holding a Final Six – the top two teams in each pool (A and B), the hosts and the winner from the Final Four from Pools C, D and E - on the week of July 16 to 20.

The Final Four between Pools C, D and E will be held on the weekend of July 4 to 6 determining which team will make their way to the Final Six contest.

Pool F and G will feature two stand-alone tournaments per pool involving the four teams in each group with a Final Four contest expected to take place on June 27 to 29.