Serbian setter Maja Ognjenović says finishing first in Montreal could make a decisive difference for Serbia at the 2027 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Cup. Serbia will face co-host Canada, Ukraine and Cameroon in Pool G at the Bell Centre, with the top two teams advancing to the round of 16.
In a November 12 interview, Ognjenović said she expects Serbia to advance but warned that Canada will be a difficult opponent in front of a home crowd. She pointed to Canada’s recent North American title and Olympic qualification as reasons to take the matchup seriously.
Why First Place Matters for Serbia
Ukraine and Cameroon were also in Serbia’s group at the previous edition of the tournament, which Ognjenović did not play. Canada takes the place of Japan in this year’s draw, giving Serbia a group-stage matchup against one of the tournament’s two hosts.
Ognjenović singled out Brazil as a team Serbia would want to avoid in the first knockout round. Brazil will play in Pool B in Orlando alongside Czechia, Kenya and South Korea. She also identified Türkiye, Japan and Russia as potential quarterfinal opponents if Serbia reaches that stage.
Serbia earned its World Cup place through European qualifying. For Serbian fans in Canada, the Montreal draw means they can follow all three of the team’s pool matches in one city. Montreal will also host Pool E, which includes Slovenia, Poland, Germany and Cuba.
World Cup Offers a Route to the 2028 Olympics
Canada and the United States will co-host the 32-team tournament from August 20 through September 5, 2027. Pool play runs from August 20 to 25 across Montreal, Quebec City, Omaha and Orlando. The final will take place at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, the same venue that will host volleyball at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The World Cup doubles as an Olympic qualifying opportunity. The three highest-finishing teams that have yet to qualify for Los Angeles will earn places at the Games. That gives the knockout rounds added significance for teams still seeking an Olympic berth.
Other Balkan teams will begin the tournament on both sides of the border. Greece will face the United States, Thailand and Mexico in Orlando. Bulgaria will play Japan, Russia and Argentina in Omaha, while Türkiye will face the Dominican Republic, France and Egypt in Quebec City.
Ognjenović’s comments focused on Serbia’s draw and the opponents it could meet in the knockout rounds. Serbia’s roster for the tournament remains to be announced.
