IQA 2025 World Cup: Pool C Preview
Author: Nicholas Love
Pool C at the IQA World Cup 2025 brings together five teams with five very different stories, but one shared goal: they’ve all got something to prove. You have the United States of America, a dynasty with gold in its blood and four world titles in the trophy case, looking to make it five. India, a young and hungry team looking to build on a promising ninth place finish in 2023. Scotland, once part of Team UK, is forging its own legacy in its World Cup debut. Switzerland aims to turn its steady development in the European games with a breakout performance. And Slovenia, returning to the IQA competition for the first time since 2019, is determined to show they still belong among the world’s best. With only one guaranteed ticket to the Round of 16 available, every game, every goal and every catch matters.
The Teams
United States of America
The U.S. aren’t new to the global stage by any means. They are four time IQA world champions after reclaiming the title in 2023 in a win over Germany. The U.S. come into Pool C with a clear mission: dominate early, get the round of 16 bye and defend their title in elimination play. This is a roster full of stars and household names from Jackson Johnson to Lindsay Marella to Miguel Esparza and a few call ups from the USNTDA in Lauren Curry, Ryan Mehio, Kyzer Polzin, Lauren Smith, Jay Stewart and Alyssa Villalba. The US has been training in Belgium since July 6 to put together the chemistry to take early wins and put themselves into position to win their fifth World Cup in front of the largest IQA crowd to date. The question isn't whether the U.S. will win the pool. It's whether anyone can make them sweat.
India
India’s 2023 debut made headlines: ninth place, spirited play, amazing jerseys and a surge of support from fans both in the U.S and the growing Quadball community back home. Now, they return not as unknowns, but as the embodiment of a program on the rise. Their roster is hungry and looking to prove that they are one of best teams in the world. Under the guidance of head coach Naresh Edala, look for team India to have great ball movement with emphasis on clean and calculated looks in the half court game. Expect big performances from captain Rajan Makanji, Shakthi Kodeswaran, Aakash Srinivasan, Swathi Mannem and Krish Jain. India has incredible chaser depth across the board and will need their beaters to step up and into space to allow for their chasers to go to work. In a pool this tough, if India can slow the game down and get quality looks, one signature win could be the next step in cementing this team as one of the greats.
Slovenia
Slovenia has been absent from the international stage for several years. So their return at the 2025 World Cup marks their first official IQA tournament appearance since 2019—a comeback to remind the world that they’re back like they never left. Entering IQA at the world stage isn’t just about participating but showing countries from around the world and in their own backyard that they are a tactical and disciplined threat. With little knowledge about what Slovenia brings to the table this World Cup, they might have the greatest upside of any team competing here at the tournament with the ability to take down the U.S. in what would quite easily be the greatest upset in Quadball history, or they could go 0-6 on the weekend and be happy that they played against some of the top teams in the world and did it with pride. No matter the outcome they are both wins.
Switzerland
Switzerland might be in the perfect pool for their team. In every international showing, Switzerland has played against some of the top teams in Europe and gained experience through some very tough losses. Despite their last place finish at the 2024 European games, the Swiss have been building a team of grit and determination. Seated in Pool C, Switzerland gets to play defending champions U.S., which will feel similar to their many outings against Germany in recent years, and team India a strong and up in coming team. They also get to play Scotland who they haven’t seen in six years but repeatedly place at very similar spots in tournaments they both attend as well as Slovenia who hasn’t been seen on the international stage since 2019. If Switzerland can keep their games against Scotland and Slovenia clean, they could easily rise to 2-2 in pool play and test their limits as a team to see how far they can truly go.
Scotland
Welcome to the world stage Scotland! Formed in 2018 and stepping onto a World Cup pitch for the very first time, this is a team that’s grown through every challenge it’s faced. Recently Scotland has put a 14th place finish under their belt in the 2024 European Games and are looking to improve in a pool where they can easily get that done. Led by co-captains Ben Talbot and Cherry Gallacher, and supported by experienced players in Juliet Simon, Natasha Meek and Alex Harrison, this team is ready to do more than participate. They’re ready to compete. Scotland has their eyes peeled after pool play for potential rematches against Ireland, Wales or Catalonia where they’re looking to even the score. Make sure to also check out the “Boat Race” drinking game that Scotland has challenged any country to beat them in at the social on Sunday!
Must-Watch Matchups:
USA v. India: Probably the only matchup that will challenge the US from a strategic, athletic and pace standpoint. Team India is the only team out of Pool C that was able to eclipse the 100 point mark in global play. The U.S. will have played two games earlier that day with India playing one. All of those games should be wins for both teams, but they might instill some overconfidence in the U.S. and some motivation for India to pick up their second win on the day in what should be a highly physical game.
Scotland v. Switzerland: Scotland and Switzerland have seen each other play over the past few years from adjacent fields, but this is the first opportunity since 2019 that they’ll be able to play each other. In that initial matchup Scotland beat Switzerland 190-30*. Since that matchup Scotland has been hungry and gaining more experience, producing great results in the European Games. Look for Switzerland to try and even up the series 1-1.
Slovenia v. Everyone: Slovenia hasn’t been seen on the global stage in a very long time, with not much film to show for. Every minute played will be a testament to the team's will and their heart as they go up against very strong and competitive teams through pool play. Every goal is important because it shows that they belong on the global stage and they can compete with the best and this weekend will show it.
Predicted Pool C Standings and Records:
United States – 4–0 and claims the Round of 16 bye
India – 3–1
Switzerland – 2–2
Scotland – 1–3
Slovenia – 0–4
