A team capable of producing a shock in the knockout rounds could emerge from Group E where three continents are represented.
A four-time silver medalist in Europe, last year in the Euros Italy went 3-1 in the group stages but were knocked out by eventual champions Germany.
Italy had posed the biggest threat to the United States’ dominance at The World Games in Alabama in 2022, topping their group, beating Austria, Mexico and Germany. Following a quarterfinal win over France, the Azzurri saw off the challenge of Mexico in the semifinals. The final against USA was a close one, ending in a ten-point defeat with a silver medal as a credible consolation.