The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) released the latest world rankings of the national teams this week. The Chinese women's team, which just won the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup with perfect 11 wins, rose back to world's No. 1 after almost a year.

USA, runners-up at the World Cup, also saw their ranking rise to No. 2. By contrast, Serbia, which finished at No. 9 at the tournament dropped to No. 3, while Brazil and Russia remained No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. The Netherlands and Japan exchanged their rankings with the Dutch girls up in No. 6.

The latest world rankings are an early indications of the possible group division of women's volleyball at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Since there won't be any major volleyball events by then, there is a good chance for the current rankings to remain.

There will be a total of 12 teams contending for championship in Tokyo next year. So far seven teams – Serbia, China, USA, Brazil, Russia, Italy and the hosts Japan – have qualified for the Olympics. The five continents, Asia (AVC), Africa (CAVB), Europe (CEV), South America (CSV), North and Central America (NORCECA), will have one team each to secure a spot.

According to the group division rules and based on the current rankings, Japan will be in Group A, with world's No. 3 Serbia and No. 4 Brazil. The top 2 teams, China and USA will go to Group B with Russia. If the Netherlands make the Olympics, they will enter Group B as well. If the Dutch team fails, Italy will take their place, making Group B the "group of death" with China, USA and Russia.

(CGTN Sports Scene's Rui Yuan contributed to this story.)