VakifBank, who are the reigning world, European and Turkish champions, are the favourites to win the pool. They are also historically the most decorated team in the Club World Championships and have medalled at all seven of their previous appearances – with gold in 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021, silver in 2011, and bronze in 2016 and 2019. This season, the VakifBank line-up is highlighted by the presence of Italian star opposite Paola Egonu, the MVP of this year’s Volleyball Nations League and of the 2019 Club World Championship. Brazilian outside and new team captain Gabriela Guimaraes is another huge international star on coach Giovanni Guidetti’s roster, which also features the likes of Türkiye’s Zehra Gunes and Cansu Ozbay, USA’s Chiaka Ogbogu and Kara Bajema, and Dutch international Nika Daalderop.