Germany won the event in 2014, 2016 and 2018, beating Austria, Brazil and Switzerland respectively in those finals.

They will be joined at the event by Belgium, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Serbia and hosts Austria.

There will be a men's Under-21 European Championship and Under-18 World Championships for women and men running alongside the Women's World Championship in Austria.

The event was originally to be held in Chile last year but was postponed due to COVID-19.

Chile then pulled out as host and it was moved to Switzerland for July 13 to 17.

However, in May the event was once again moved, this time to Austria as coronavirus measures in Switzerland continued to be in force and had would limit the amount of spectators allowed to watch the games.

The event is now set to reach its climax on Sunday (August 1).

"The Fistball World Championships in Grieskirchen are the restart at the international fistball level," International Fistball Association President Jörn Verleger said.

"I thank everyone - athletes, supervisors, officials, the organization team - for your endurance and your cooperation in this unprecedented situation.

"Each of you has a significant part in the success of this Fistball World Championship!"

Regional councillor for the economy and sport, Markus Achleitner, claimed the competitions can deliver a boost to the area.

"Sport is celebrating a strong comeback in Upper Austria - and that is very closely related to these people which despite the uncertainties in the past few months," Achleitner said.

"For this, thanks must go the organizers and all volunteers and many thanks to helpers.

"I wish for a great and fair games."

The Germans have won six of the eight Women's World Championships, with hosts Austria having to settle for second place twice.

On both occasions, 1994 and 2014, they lost out to their neighbours.

The 2021 Women's World Fistball Championship is a qualifying tournament for the 2022 World Games in Birmingham in the United States.