The Spanish team progressed through Group A in the men's competition after recording straight-set wins against Chile, Britain and the United States.

They will face Italy in the knockout final stages, after they beat Belgium 3-0 in their final Group C game to ensure their progress with four wins from six matches in the round-robin.

Brazil won five of their six matches in Group C against Italy, Belgium and hosts Qatar, and will take on Chile in the next round.

Argentina are bidding for their fourth consecutive world title, and eased through with five victories in Group B.

Paraguay stand in their way of a place in the semi-finals after finishing second in Group D, whose winners France will play Group B runners-up Uruguay in the final stage.

The eight teams who finished in the bottom two of their groups will entre a knockout for the ninth to 16^th rankings: Britain play Qatar, Germany take on Denmark, Mexico face Poland and Belgium go up against the US.

In the women's Championship, the four group winners all progressed with a trio of straight-set wins.

Back-to-back winners Spain eased through Group A, with Brazil progressing in second, and Paraguay and Japan entering the ninth to 16^th ranking knockout.

Spain will play Belgium for a place in the last four, while Brazil take on an Italy side who progressed from Group C with a 100 per cent record against The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

Argentina cruised into the knockout stages with 3-0 triumphs over Mexico, Uruguay and Britain in Group B.

Germany - runners-up to France in Group D - will be the next opponents for the eight-time winners.

France will face Mexico in the other quarter-final tie.

The ninth to 16^th final stage includes Paraguay against Denmark, the US versus Britain, Uruguay taking on Chile and The Netherlands playing Japan.

The final stages begin tomorrow, with the Championships concluding on Saturday (November 20).