IQA World Cup 2025: Pool A Preview
Author: Whitney Ho
Introduction:
The 2025 IQA World Cup held in Brussels, Belgium is rapidly approaching, and with it comes some fast takes with Fastbreak News. Today, we take a deep dive into Pool A, made up of Germany, African Nations, the Netherlands, Quadball Ireland and Vietnam in what will be the biggest World Cup in IQA history. Who will take it all? Who will be close enough to taste it, but watch it slip through their fingers? Let’s discuss.
The Teams
Germany:
As the top seed in Pool A, Germany will expect to make a statement in the round robin games. Coming out of Pod 1 along with hosts Belgium and the reigning champions — the USNT — Germany will come into this tournament hot and strong. Their Quadball history is a lesson to everyone in building a strong foundation — it all began when they made their debut at the first European Championship in 2015 finishing as quarterfinalists. From there, the only way through was up. The team claimed a European Championship title in 2024 and were the 2023 IQA World Cup runner-ups. Led by head coaches Marco Ziegaus, Monique Renk and Dominik Düsel, this team is fresh off of high success and is hungry for more. Will this be the year that they finally win it all and become world champions?
African Nations:
This year in Belgium, the African Nations Quadball team will be participating in World Cup for the second time in their history. In 2023, at their first ever World Cup, the team shocked the world by placing fifth overall. This young-and-hungry team will certainly be looking to advance as one of the top two seeds in their group and make a splash during elimination games. With key players Zachary Armantrading and Nicholas Love along with manager Christian Barnes and coaches Wren Morgan and Alexander-Paul Ogbeide, this team definitely has the capabilities to be a dark horse and make a very deep run in the tournament.
The Netherlands:
The Flying Dutchmen have been involved in Quadball for nearly a decade, and the work they’ve put in throughout those years will help them hit the ground running in Belgium. While the Netherlands did not participate in the 2024 European Championship, their most recent international appearance comes in the form of the 2023 Quadball Nations Cup. At the tournament, the Netherlands obtained crucial victories over Austria and Czechia and improved their rank from 14th at the end of day one to 11th at the end of the tournament. However, the question the Flying Dutchmen must answer is will they sink or swim on the biggest stage of Quadball?
Ireland:
Quadball Ireland has experience across five different European games. Most recently they made an appearance in the 2024 European Championship, where they finished 12th, their best finish since the tournament’s founding in 2015. Ireland’s foundation has a rich history and a strong team, making them a force to be reckoned with as the veterans lead the team forward. While their opponents may prove to be a tough challenge for Ireland, their team chemistry, skill and work ethic will allow them to push to the next level.
Vietnam:
The Long Lost Army will go into the 2025 IQA World Cup with something to prove. Vietnam made their official Quadball debut at the 2018 IQA World Cup and have become a recognizable name in the Quadball community. Along with their high energy and perseverance, it can be argued that the Long Lost Army has the most style points out of any team attending World Cup this year. While Vietnam has yet to win a major international trophy, the team has worked hard to develop their program and must not be counted out. Led by explosive and athletic players including but not limited to Tran Minh Quan and Bao Hoang, the Long Lost Army is definitely a team to watch in Belgium.
Matchups:
(All matches listed are in Belgium time CEST / GMT +2)
Friday, July 11th:
Germany vs Netherlands 10:00, Pitch 5
African Nations vs Ireland 11:00, Pitch 3
Germany vs Vietnam 13:00, Pitch 5
African Nations vs Netherlands 14:00, Pitch 5
Ireland vs Vietnam 16:00, Pitch 5*
Germany vs African Nations 17:00, Pitch 1*
Saturday, July 12th:
Vietnam vs Netherlands 9:30, Pitch 3
Germany vs Ireland 10:30, Pitch 5
Vietnam vs African Nations 12:30, Pitch 1
Ireland vs Netherlands 13:30, Pitch 2*
Elimination games TBD
Sunday, July 13th:
TBD
*Games to watch
Conclusion:
Overall, the odds are in Germany’s favor to secure the number one seed out of this bracket and make a deep finals run. With their history of strong showings in international tournaments and the strength of the roster they’re bringing to Belgium, the question for Germany isn’t if they’ll advance, but rather, how far will they go?
Expect the African Nations to make a statement this upcoming weekend, finishing top two in their pool. After a 5th place finish at the 2023 IQA World Cup, these athletes have something to prove, and they’re ready for anything. The Netherlands, Ireland and Vietnam are dark horses in this pool that may not win as decisively as other teams but have the potential to make a deep run into Day 2. However, this pool is so diverse and creative that it runs a chance of surprising viewers, and nothing — especially the belief that a powerhouse team will win out easily — is ever guaranteed.
